[user24]

Encouraging search will lead to more revenue.

Facebook's problem has always been that they are trying to convert passive users into active ones.

When you google for "watches", it makes sense to show you ads for watches; you've expressed your interest.

On facebook, you're interested in Fiona's party pics, not watches.

By increasing the focus on (social)search, FB are positioning themselves to take advantage of people expressing specific interests, instead of being as they currently are, passive users.

[youssefs]

Yeah, but I wouldn't be surprised if Facebook were planning to expand their partnership with Microsoft Bing either.