Social Networks and Google are two things that I don't automatically associate in my mind, but word from the New York Times signals a change of heart for Google with Social Networks:

"..Google is planning to use information it has about the connections between its users, something techies call the “social graph,” to improve searches and other Google services. He said the company would like to sell advertising for Facebook, a position currently enjoyed by Microsoft. And he highlighted Google’s existing social network service, Orkut, and its deal to sell ads on behalf of MySpace, the largest social networking site. "

"…Mr. Schmidt’s comments came amid intense debate in the tech world about the value of Facebook, which has reportedly discussed taking an investment from Yahoo, Google and, despite Mr. Ballmer’s qualms, Microsoft. There have also been reports that Google will not only use its social graph information for its own services but will also create a system for other companies to use the same data — in other words, to “out-open Facebook.” Mr. Schmidt was closemouthed about that."