This document summarizes research evaluating Facebook's search engine for travel-related information retrieval. The researchers conducted a literature review on social media, consumer reviews, and search behaviors of travelers. They developed a model to measure search effectiveness and conducted qualitative research, including a talk aloud protocol and screen recording, with 11 participants searching for travel information in Dublin using only Facebook. Quantitative research was also conducted with a sample of 107 participants. The results found Facebook could satisfy basic information needs but was challenging to use for travel searches. Limitations included the small sample size and focus only on attractions. The researchers concluded Facebook has potential as a point of reference for travel searches but its focus needs further development. They recommend further research with improved methods and evaluating the impact

1. Facebook It: Evaluation of
Facebook’s Search Engine for Travel
Related Information Retrieval
Paul Bulencea & Roman Egger
ENTER 2014, Dublin
Acknowledgements: Nagl, Ayenimelo

2. Why?
How? & Results.
Limitations.
Conclusions.
Further research.

3. Why?

4. Social media &
consumer
generated
content
Search: the
leading mode
of internet use
for travellers
Xiang & Gretzel (2010), Egger (2007)

5. Facebook is “another version of the
Internet itself: a Net within a Net”
Most preferred ONS by NTO`s
Increasingly being used for travel &
tourism by users
Highest user base
Grossman (2007), Dwivedi et al. (2012) Milano, et al. 2011, Di Pietro et al. (2011)

6. Facebook search engine history
Old school

7. Facebook search engine history
Modified mid of 2012

8. Facebook search engine history
January 2013 (beta version)

9. Facebook search engine history

10. How?

11. Literature review
Proposed model of measurement
Qualitative research
Refined model and method
Quantitative
Results, Limitations and Further research

12. Literature review

13. Source: Cho & Jang (2008)

15. Buhalis (2000), Fesenmaier et al. (2011)

16. Qualitative research

17. Plan weekend trip to Dublin, use
only Facebook to find information.
You have 700 e budget.
Sample: 11 persons

18. Talk aloud protocol
Screen recording
Face recording

19. Results

20. User search method

21. Search behaviour

25. Quantitative

26. Sample size: 107

27. You won weekend a trip to Dublin!
Find two attractions that you would
like to visit.

32. Results

33. Information value
N=92

34. It`s challenging and sometimes a
waste of time.
Most would rather use other
websites.

35. Would use FB if a specific search
tool for attractions would exist.

36. Limitations

37. Small sample size
“Imagine”
Focus on attractions
Rapid Facebook development

38. Conclusions

39. Satisfy basic information need
Point of reference
Facebook`s focus and potential

40. Further research

41. Further develop research approach
Graph search

42. Thank you!
paul.bulencea@gmail.com