Google Threatened By Facebook?

I have seen rumours and gossip over the internet, that Google is feeling pressure, from "rival" Facebook.

Recently, Google has reportedly provided some of their star employees with "runners", or, as some would say, "slaves". Runners will fulfil the role of carrying out tasks too menial or time consuming, such as taking clothes to the dry cleaners, or ordering and collecting groceries etc. I imagine them to be like mini personal assistants.

This has some believing it is a reaction to possibly losing talented people to other companies...such as Facebook.

I doubt very much that Google feels threatened.

Google, founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have been famed for years for looking after their staff, and providing a quality work / life balance. This is just another dimension to the care they provide.

Don't get me wrong. I have a Facebook account, who doesn't? I use it everyday. It is an easy way to keep in touch with friends, all over the world, and a very convenient way to see what people are doing with their lives (be careful of over sharing on the internet people!).

But they don't rival Google.

I think it is also rather convenient for these "rumours" to be doing the rounds, just as Facebook's very own movie "The Social Network" is being released. You can't have missed the hype.

Besides, Google and Facebook offer different services. Yes, the way people use the internet is changing. It always will. But Facebook is nothing to worry Google.

Google provides the most popular, and most accurate search engine, as well as various other services, such as it's very own browser (Google chrome), various webmaster and business tools and solutions, and as of 2006 they also own YouTube!

So no, Facebook does not rival Google. Do not believe the propaganda people!

But I am sure their film will be a hit, nonetheless.