Yes it is true, Google now recognizes Social links are just as if not more important than backlinks from other websites to boost your website in the SERPS!

A "Social Signal" is just as powerful as a backlink! It stands to reason that the more popular a social media page or the more interest a website brand, company or whatever it is being promoted must be relevant and worth ranking higher. Google's algorithm is changing with the current times to include the very widely used social media available today.

So the key to ranking high is to be popular on social media networks like facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube and the many others.

You can see the proof of these so called "social signals" in this thread:
http://www.marketingcharts.com/wp/topics/search-engine-optimization/social-signals-again-seen-highest-correlating-factors-with-google-rankings-30698/

So the key to success is Social networks and gaining popularity on these networks is paramount. Do you wait and hope your social media gets noticed or do you do something about it right now...