With Google’s recent acquisition of Zagat and Thrive, it seems that Google might be ready to roll out another major social network competitor. The idea is still up in the air, but if reports are true, then we could very well see Google Me, or possibly Google Buzz, headed by Yahoo in a few years. One reason why I think this could be happening is that Google bought CytoNOFA, a developer of applications used by restaurants and other social organizations for their websites. If Google acquired this company it would definitely give them a leg up on developing this new business model. Another factor in my thinking is that Yahoo is focusing more on mobile and tablet usage, which Google has been lagging behind on.

Google has already established its social impact online. They have maps that can help you find things on the web and recommendations that are available through Gmail, Google+, and YouTube. Google Now also offers turn-by-turn directions, so it is possible that one day you might just be able to get your directions straight to your front door without having to get up from your chair. All of this online activity ties into the Google Branding program which makes Google Me seem like it will be a major player in the fight for social relevance.

The way Google has grown over the past few years, they are becoming a leader in almost every category. Their search engine results are always top-of-the-line. Their range of products is truly amazing. Google also owns search, ads, and content. With all of these assets it is hard to see where they might leave off, and they might actually take over the entire Internet brand.

I believe Google’s latest acquisition is one of the biggest moves they have made in a very long time. This purchase might surprise some but it does make sense. For agency , it is clear that Google wants to create one centralized location for all of their services. The purchase of Social Impact gives them one more tool to leverage social networks and create massive one-way traffic from them directly.

Another interesting tidbit I found while researching Google’s acquisition of Social Impact is that they are looking at YouTube as a way to expand their reach. YouTube is by far one of the most visited websites on the web. More people spend time on YouTube than on any other site on the web. Google has already started to include video in their search results, and they have plans to start doing even more. Since they are working with Social Impact, it is likely they will use this brand of social sharing to do even more.

One concern I have is that Google might surprise everyone and make a game out of collecting personal information on their users. They already collect information from Facebook, and they are doing a great job of getting detailed data from MySpace as well. With Social Impact, it is entirely possible they will extend these efforts even further. Google already knows who you are and what you like. By combining these two powerful tools with the personally targeted search engine they have created, Google could take the ability to find new customers altogether.

Some fear that this could also mean that Google might make its search algorithm less personalized. However, this could not be farther from the truth. Google already shows an inclination towards providing more personalized results, such as displaying search results based on friend requests, interests, and location. The combination of Social Impact and personalized search would only make things that much easier for the consumer. It might even lead to more traffic, which is always a good thing.

Whether or not Google will use Social Impact is still an open question. If the rumors are true, it could be one of the most effective moves they have made so far. Right now, Facebook and Twitter are still the main two places you’ll find most activity on the internet. Google is always looking for new ways to reach out to their customers. Combine that with the ability to get more information about what your friends are up to, and you have the perfect marketing tool.