My Confession
Online Reputation
09.05.2008
In:
Social Media
I am tired of hiding my shame, and I think it is something that I need to share. Sometimes late at night, when I am all alone – I Google myself. You know, I do feel better now that I’ve shared that.
I believe we have reached a point where most people would agree on the importance search engines, specifically Google, have on the Internet. Many companies and people alike have realized the impact a Google search result can have, whether someone searches for a company, product or even their own name. Those results can have a great or devastating effect on a business or individual, depending on what shows up. Many companies are taking proactive measures to help protect and insulate their most important keywords or phrases within search engine results. But when it comes to online reputations, what people need to realize is that by the time a specific page or conversation is caught by the search engines, it is too late for you to properly react.
The amount of information that is going up on the Web every day is simply astounding. And technology is allowing this information to be shared at speeds never seen before. Without going into a great amount of detail, search engines “index” or read a website every two to six weeks, on average, depending on the popularity of the website. Meaning it could take several weeks for something specific to come up in a search engine result that could affect your business and reputation today. So even if you are like me and in the dead of night, you are secretly Googling yourself and your company, that might not be enough.
Even though search engines are still the most common way users find information about your company, products or services, they are not on the front line of conversations and discussions taking place online. These discussions are taking place real-time within blogs, discussion boards, chat rooms, podcasts and videos. A critical conversation that could have an impact on your business could be taking place right now. If you are relying on search engine results to keep you apprised, you will miss your chance of knowing, listening and possibly engaging in these conversations.
I know this is a lot to take in at once. You have just admitted to Googling yourself too, and I am already introducing some new verbs into your vocabulary including Digging, StumbleUponing and YouTubing. I promise we will get through this together.
For better or for worse, we are living in a 24/7 world where the conversations and discussions never stop. It is becoming more and more apparent that companies large and small need to have a proper online monitoring strategy and plan in place. It allows companies to better understand what is being discussed online that is relevant to their business, as well as giving them greater insights into the people they treasure most — their customers.
