Information in social networks are so valuable.The information can be used to generate targeted ads to the user or better search results. Everything in the face

Information in social networks are so valuable.The information can be used to generate targeted ads to the user or better search results. Everything in the facebook world can be tracked and mined to generate some relevant information on you. Based on that they can generate a targeted ad platform, identify who the opinion leaders are in your social network, etc. That is why google wants to create a popular social network or wants facebook's data. Google is in the business of targeted ads, facebook is as well. Facebook alone with that data and a platform to utillize it is worth billions. Soon they will get it right. That being said, sometimes walled gardens are good, because if facebook didn't protect this data a competitor will use it and take away the facebook's money making opportunity.