(Thumbnail image: John Haydon)

"Social networking site Facebook has become the most visited site in the U.S., beating search engine giant Google into the number two position for the first week since 2007." (Mr Site TV)

Facebook trumped Google this week as the most visited Web site in the U.S.-- that according to numbers released by an online analyst.  

We're looking at the battle between two Web giants, Facebook versus Google, with perspectives from Fox Business, CNN Money, Business Insider, FastCompany.com and E-Commerce Times.

On Fox Business, an anchor explains why Facebook's traffic increased 20 times more than Google's this year.

"Really what this highlights is the fact that social networking sites are getting a lot more valued.  They're driving a lot more traffic, and according to Nielsens, Americans spend six and a half hours a month on Facebook and only spend two and a half hours per month on Google."

In an article from CNN Money, an online analyst says Facebook sees higher traffic because it offers something Google doesn't.

"It shows content sharing has become a huge driving force online.  People want information from friends they trust versus the the anonymity of a search engine."

On Business Insider, a media company CEO takes that one step further-- warning Google that Facebook is invading Internet search.

"On the Web, is it still going to be search?  And Google thinks about, having come from Google in the last three years, Google thinks about two places that are threatening to them.  One, are people going to start going to their friends to think about commercial decisions rather than this utility of search?  And there Facebook is obviously a huge threat."

A blogger on Fast Company adds a different perspective, saying the Google/Facebook duel isn't about search-- it's about advertising.

"What's really driving users to Facebook in droves is that it's a genuine phenomenon. Facebook is now in a position to leverage those user visits to seize control of the online ad-placement business from Google -- advertisers will begin to do the math and work out which site will get their ads in front of more eyeballs."

But in an article from E-Commerce Times, an industry analyst says not so fast -- Facebook still has kinks to fix.

"Facebook's task is to move beyond being mostly an entertainment and communications site into one that offers more practical utility to end-users.  Unless or until it does so, it won't really challenge Google."

So what do you think?  Will Facebook take Internet search and advertising away from Google?

Writer: Courtney Cebula

Producer: Newsy Staff