Google Jumps on the Second Screen Bandwagon: Integrating TV Show Information into Search
When consumers are sitting on the couch watching TV, they like to use tablets or smartphones to log into social networks and search for information about the background of TV series, actors, or share content. This is known as the "second screen effect," which has also become a focal point of competition among internet giants recently. Recently, Google also followed this trend by integrating independent and detailed TV series information into its web search.
After users input the name of a popular TV series, Google will display detailed TV series information on the right side of the search results (which is usually where search ads are placed). This includes basic introductions, producers, release dates, and other data. Additionally, there will be photos of the main cast, as well as information about related popular TV series.
Google also provides online playback links for TV episodes, making this feature very convenient for users who watch TV series online.
However, industry insiders pointed out that the TV series information integrated into Google Search still has some gaps in user experience compared to similar functions in the set-top box GoogleTV. Moreover, there is room for improvement in parsing search keywords.
In addition, Google recently launched the Chromecast, a TV dongle product that was snapped up quickly. However, this product's firmware does not integrate TV series search functions. The recent improvements in Google Search might also cater to the needs of Chromecast users.
In the competition over the "second screen effect," Twitter and Facebook have been fiercely competing. Besides striving for more user engagement time, both companies are eyeing the online advertising market of television stations. Twitter began integrating more popular TV series content into its timeline, while Nielsen started monitoring discussions about TV series on Twitter. Meanwhile, Facebook began collaborating with various TV stations to real-time integrate more netizen discussions and sharing information during live TV broadcasts.
