Facebook testing internal search engine

Facebook is piloting a new way for app users to add links on status updates that would bypass other search engines such as Google, says TechCrunch.

The tech website says Facebook has confirmed the news, adding that they have over "one trillion posts" to power the internal search engine.

Currently, users must copy and paste the URL of a page they want to share. However, some iOS users in the US are seeing a new option – "add a link" – that enables them to search and view links to share without ever leaving the site.

The results are also ranked by popularity with the most shared links appearing on top.

The chosen link can then be published alongside pictures or status updates as normal.