Over the last few years, we have all observed as friends and followers found themselves virtually up-in-arms about privacy issues on just about every social network. Each one seems to have gone through its own growing pains when it comes to sometimes questionable sources declaring user’s information is being utilized in a variety of suspicious manners. However, most have come to terms with the fact that data is not so often sold as it is aggregated and measured for many marketing purposes, includes those that benefit the user.
Now that we are using so many social networks simultaneously, we have not one profile, but a fine, long, and continuously growing, list of them.
- Google +
- Foursquare
- Flickr
- Yelp
As each of our most favored networks have grown, they have also steadily increased their focuses on the type of user data that is cultivated, and how it is shared.
Klout
Klout has been a terrific way to integrate our profiles, and then run them through an algorithm that will display the various details of your own social media influence. Klout currently supports 12 different networks and as their developers continue to add more, your social influence can continue to climb.
Using Klout can have more benefits than simply the benefit of having the most Klout. Users are treated to a wide variety of Perks that can be anything from several months of free trial on a notable website or service, to a free sample of the latest and greatest body wash. Sometimes a user can sign up for selected Perks, and just as often, Klout will extend exclusive offers to users based on their social influence rating and common topics.
12+ Networks and Growing – Where is my data being used?
Recently, a representative from Business Insider visited with Tim Mahlman, the Chief Revenue Officer for Klout. He wanted to share exactly what Klout does do and does not do with their user’s personal data.
- Klout is not selling your data. Even though Klout does have a rather complete picture of you and your personal choices and preferences, this information is never sold to advertisers or brands.
- Klout does leave the virtual door open to trying out new revenue models, they also plan to ‘keep their users first according to Mahlman.
- There is only one element of Klout that any brands have access to and that is a user’s Klout score. Klout is the gatekeeper between their users and any influential brands.
- Pinterest is one new network that Klout is highly interested in.
Since Klout already has 12 current networks and a list of networks that are in development, they are always in on the market for a new fast growing network to add to their social influence algorithms.
Author:
@BasilPuglisi is the Executive Director and Publisher for Digital Brand Marketing Education (dbmei.com). Basil C. Puglisi is also the President of Puglisi Consulting Group, Inc. A Digital Brand Marketing Consultancy that manages professional and personal branding for Fortune 500 CEOs, Hedge Fund Managers and Small Business Owners.
Sources:
Is Klout Crossing the Line When it Comes to Privacy?
I was wondering when Klout would be adding Pinterest to their algorithm. Nothing is completely private with the internet – so I don’t sweat the privacy issues.
That is an interesting idea to add Pinterest. How do you think that would affect KLOUT scores or other aspects of KLOUT, Basil and Lisa?
I love using KLOUT. I am not sure if this is the wisest thing to do with this program. But I have several identities on KLOUT, a personal one using my name, my Marketing Bytes Maven, which is my primary marketing business identity and my artist identity, Alison*s Art, Inc. I can not use certain info on one that is already on another so it is a challenge and curious to see what my KLOUT is as each. By the way, each identity ranks very differently.
What do you think of having more than one KLOUT identity, Basil?