Facebook’s major announcement – a search engine to rival Google?

There has been much online speculation over the last week about a “major announcement” from Facebook. The whole thing has remained a mystery, but rumours of a Facebook smartphone, a new ad-platform or another overhaul of the site’s news feed have all been mooted.

Now, according to Pocket-lint – and based on what they say are trusted sources – it will be a search engine – and one that could rival Google.

“Although exact details of how the new search engine will work remain unclear for now, we have been told that the social network is planning to launch a big new ‘search feature’ on the site ‘very soon’, one that will shake everything up,” the technology blog said last night.

“Sources who don’t wish to be named have confirmed to Pocket-lint that the big announcement at the company’s event will focus on the new search feature with an expected roll-out shortly afterwards. Although the information is light on detail, the source is trusted and has given us legitimate information before.”

Google+ was an attempt to break into the social market, but it never really made a dent. Is a search engine from Facebook likely to hurt Google? Facebook already offers a basic search function – but if it could give users an opportunity to bypass Google, then it could seriously ruffle some feathers.

The announcement will be made at Facebook’s Menlo Park headquarters today, around 6pm UK time.