One of Facebook’s coolest new features is Graph Search, a search engine that understands everyday lingo you would use with a friend. You can search an assortment of phrases to filter friends, photos, interests, and locations like never before. Check out some of the new things you can do with this helpful feature (because we needed another awesome function to feed our Facebook addiction)!
1. Compile group photos of friends.
Take a trip down memory timeline by using Graph Search’s intricate photo filtering system. You can pull up group pictures of a number of specified people with searches such as “photos of Justin and me” or “photos of Hannah and Laura and Terry.” This is useful for creating photo collages for scrapbooks or a collection of pictures for going-away presents.
2. Rekindle a friendship in a new city.
Whether you’ve relocated for a weekend or for the whole summer, it’s nice to see a familiar face in a sea of strangers. Facebook Graph Search lets you filter your acquaintances by location, so setting up a coffee date with a nearby friend is a breeze. You can also use this search to find a roommate if you’re staying in the area for a longer amount of time (sure beats finding a rando on Craigslist!). To find friends in your neighborhood, try a search like: “friends living in Boston.”
3. Browse attractions in your area.
Facebook not only rounds up your friends, it can also give you suggestions for things to do. From museums to shopping centers, the possibilities are as expansive as your friends list. You can even narrow your search to attractions your friends have visited by searching a phrase like “places in Chicago my friends visited.” This trip guide gets an A+ because — since many of your peers have been to these places — the recommended attractions will be relevant and probably affordable for a college budget (hello, student discounts!).
4. Find a study buddy within your major.
Who knew the girl on your intramural basketball team was also a computer science major? Or, better yet, who knew your writing major floormate would be able to help you with your essay? Facebook Graph Search makes it easy to categorize friends by their studies, so you can share notes or ask for class recommendations. To expand your academic network, try a search like “friends who study business.” Who knows, you may be lucky enough to befriend the next Mark Zuckerberg.
5. Keep in touch with alumni.
You never know when a school connection will come in handy. But how do you remember the hundreds of people you’ve met in college through various clubs and organizations? Facebook’s Graph Search has you covered. With a search like “friends in Pi Beta Phi” Facebook will list all the alumni of a specific organization among your friends, making it easy to send out invitations to reunions or requests for donations.
6. Discover popular movies and TV shows.
We often turn to our friends for good movie and TV show suggestions, so why not enjoy that luxury without having to bother your movie buff BFF? Search “movies my friends like” and Facebook Graph Search will show popular flicks, along with a list of friends who have “liked” each title. Now you’ll definitely have something to talk about with that cute, shy guy who also loves Titanic.
7. Find a date with similar interests.
Have an extra ticket to a concert this Friday? Facebook’s Graph Search doubles as a matchmaker by night, so try a fun search like “single friends who like Maroon 5.” You can filter friends by their interests and find out what bachelors on your friends list are compatible with you.
8. Use connections to land a job.
An impressive resume is one way to land your dream job, but a friend’s good word to the boss doesn’t hurt! View all your connections to a company with a search like “people who work at Facebook.” This function allows you to gather potential references and locate resources for any questions you may have about a company.
9. Hire friends with hidden skill sets.
Need a professional headshot to update your LinkedIn page? Before you head to a local studio, Facebook Graph Search can tell you whether there is a photographer among your friends. With a search like “friends who are photographers,” you can uncover skill sets in your friend circle that you never knew about. Now if you could just get your cousin to give you some free guitar lessons…
What are you most excited to use Graph Search for? (If you want a fun one, try “people who like photos of me.” Notice any cute followers?) Play around with this new feature and tell us your favorite search in the comments below!