This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Lindsay Daneen. Find her on Instagram at @_lindsay_daneen. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Long gone are the days when looking something up required you to have a house full of alphabetically organized encyclopedias. We have since moved to significantly more efficient ways of accessing knowledge over the last few decades. Google search engine has held down the number one spot as the go-to search engine for what seems like forever. But now the question is… has social media become the new way to search for information? Is using social media as a search engine the new way to research? And better yet, if using social media as a search engine is the new way of life, what are the pros and cons? It can’t be sustainable, right?
Why We Use Search Engines
Why do we use search engines? That’s obvious, right? We love information! We love the sites they produce like, WebMD, for those of us who like to self-diagnose. Reddit is perfect for those of us who like community conversation and opinions. And let’s not forget news sites. Where else would you get your latest news from? But here’s the kicker. These sites, although helpful and still very popular, are slowly being replaced by social media. It may sound crazy but think about what these sites offer. Now think about which needs can’t be satisfied by scrolling or searching through social media. Exactly. I don’t know how to feel about it either.
The Traditional Search Engines
As I mentioned, Google reigns supreme when it comes to search engines. Google has access to maps, and countless legitimate sites, its algorithm is high-level… it just can’t be beat. But this is what I am personally seeking when I run to do a Google search. I am looking for authentic sources. I am not always seeking opinions. Instead, I prefer science-backed information and highly researched topics. I don’t care how long the article or source is. I just want the information to be thorough. Traditional search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc provide me with all that access. And that’s what I desire most of the time. I’ll admit that it does take a lot of work, but we want accurate information and not quick information…or so I thought.
The Social Media Search Engine
What do we love about social media the most? This is debatable, however, if you ask me, it’s the convenience and speed of it. You don’t need to research a topic because someone else already has. Not only that, they’ve wrapped it in a nice little cinematic bow with crisp audio, fun graphics, and appropriate sound effects. Let’s take TikTok for example. Before, I only used TikTok to laugh at the videos that appeared on my feed. I wanted nothing more and nothing less. But I was January 2025 years old when I realized that it is a great search engine! I simply type in the search box, “feeling sick after a flight” and countless videos populate with people who have the same symptoms with their explanations and experiences! It’s quick and significantly more entertaining and engaging than reading an article on WebMD. I understand the appeal!
What Each Is Lacking
Social media lacks accountability. The entire internet does to an extent but with social media there are no checks and balances. You don’t need to cite your sources and explain your process. It’s based on opinion and you technically can’t argue with someone’s opinion or point of view even if they are implying that it’s factual. It’s called free speech. Another problem is social media is about a quick snapshot. Most things can’t be fully explained in a 30-second clip. It often excludes thorough information, context, and nuance. Should we be satisfied and comfortable having complex topics shrunk into bite-sized packages? Another issue is that social media is usually free. What does this mean? These sites need to make money somehow. That’s where ads come in—the same works for the influencers providing this information. The whole thing just seems disingenuous and leaves a lot to be desired for true fact-seekers.
I have to be fair and address what traditional search engines are lacking as well. It lacks human connection. Doing a Google search won’t immediately provide me with a smiling face and human connection to answer my question. It’s dry (for lack of a better term). They can be outdated and aren’t updated in real time. These search engines also deliver a lot of sources that the average busy person or inattentive individuals don’t have time or the desire to sift through. The information is not bitesize. It’s a full 4-course meal of facts and opinions and it can be overwhelming.
There’s Room For Both
So what are we supposed to do about it? Use both! I will never deny that using social media as a search engine can yield genuine and accurate results. I also won’t deny that traditional search engines can provide biased and invalid responses. They each have their pros and cons. We should be leveraging all this informational access, and taking full advantage of it. What do I mean by that? Get to know them for who they are. Social media is perfect for fun things like restaurant and hotel reviews. It’s also great for less detailed questions. You should use it to search for simple answers like what it means to be lactose intolerant. A quick 30 seconds from a professional would be great! You can also use it as a starting point for your research and then expand your search using a traditional search engine.
Use traditional search engines for a deep dive with full details and switch to social media for a simplified answer to supplement all the articles you’ve just digested. You can also utilize social media if you want to get opinions on the topic you just did extensive internet research on. I’m providing these options and scenarios to emphasize that I don’t believe one is better. There’s room for both in your life. But do yourself a favor and try not to use social media as a shortcut. Information and knowledge are powerful, and you deserve to be as informed as possible. Remember, not everything needs to be intense like a research project. But not everything should be diluted and made into fun videos either. Do your due diligence and make the best of all your resources. Happy searching!
Which do you prefer and why? Do you use social media as a search engine? Comment below!
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