The “Instant” web is here. Google’s stroke of genius is inspiring innovative mashups that are easy to build and social search is the perfect problem to solve. Social has been suffering (or evolving – depending on whether you are an optimist or realist) from a lack of true innovation as the barriers to entry makes it simpler for startups to address smaller market issues.

Twitter, Facebook and a sleuth of social startups and consultancies are hard at work attempting to solve the issue of social search. The information shared across social networks is often fleeting and highly relevant to a small group of people yet it can have massive reach. The problem is big and the payoff for a solution is definitely compelling to entrepreneurs.

The solutions to this problem have come in the form of lighter platform-based apps and powered search and directories like Mahalo. They all have come short and none have achieved a relevant size to claim victory.

Now, turn on Google Instant, a lightening-fast interface that “allows to you search faster than you type.” Now imagine this technology layered on top of facebook or twitter thus providing context to people thirsty for answers that are relevant to them. Imagine Google Instant as a core of Twitter. That would change the way people tweet and will open up a wealth of information that it is currently trapped within a clunky Facebook search.

Google is taking the bull by the horns and turning the tables on social by redefining the game. It was time already.