'Aging' MySpace Gives in to Google Searches

And then, at high noon Wednesday, it all changed: First Google (News - Alert) launched MySpace Real-Time Search, then MySpace was referred to by PCMag as an “aging social network.”

 

Unlike the walled garden that is Facebook (News - Alert), untouched by Google’s greedy grubby search tentacles, PCMag says now “when users perform a search on Google, publicly available MySpace stream updates will appear in Google’s Real-Time search results.”

 

PCMag said the move was aimed at “bringing the aging social network in line with Google’s real-time search tools.” You’re getting older, dear, not quite the bounce and jiggle in your step you had, so time to fall in line with Google.

 

MySpace (News - Alert) officials put a brave face on it, saying the results “provide a live snapshot of what our users are thinking and doing as it relates to any given search topic, and results are ranked so that only the freshest and most relevant data appears.”

 

As industry observer Clint Boulton writes, Facebook can continue to spurn Google’s overtures. “Facebook has more than double the users of Gmail, Wave, Voice and other Google Apps combined. Facebook users have become comfortable with the service, with an average user spending 20 minutes or more per day behind the walled garden of social delights.”

 

Earlier this week TMC (News - Alert) reported that News Corporation announced that Owen Van Natta has stepped down from his position as MySpace CEO, effective immediately.

 

Van Natta is replaced by newly-elevated co-Presidents Mike Jones and Jason Hirschhorn, who will each report to Jon Miller, Chairman and CEO of Digital Media for News Corporation. All three executives joined MySpace in April 2009, according to News Corp (News - Alert) officials, with Jones and Hirschhorn previously serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer, respectively.

 

“Owen took on an incredible challenge in working to refocus and revitalize MySpace, and the business has shown very positive signs recently as a result of his dedicated work,” said Jon Miller, News Corporation’s Chairman and CEO of Digital Media. “However, in talking to Owen about his priorities both personally and professionally going forward, we both agreed that it was best for him to step down at this time. I want to thank Owen for all of his efforts.”