There has been talk over the last few months of Twitter taking on Google in the realms of search. Can Twitter really match up to the titan of the search arena? I would say unlikely at best.

For a start Twitter is based on real time conversational topics and when used to request information is heavily dependent on whatever is being 'tweeted' in the 140 character max. snippet you are allowed to post at any one time. Google on the other hand has a huge amount of information just ready and waiting to be launched at you whatever you ask of it, in a matter of seconds - something Twitter will find hard to replicate given current limitations. 

However...

...that doesn't mean Twitter has no place in search. If you are searching for a recommendation or for a niche specific piece of information then asking your fellow 'Tweeters' maybe the way to go. Much like an opinion poll.

So, Google vs Twitter?  Not really, no. I think Google may be safe where search is concerned. Live Search and Yahoo shouldn't worry too much either, however things move quickly so watch this space!!!

Jo