Online influence measurement tool – Klout – announced an update to how they measure Klout scores today.
For those of you unfamiliar with Klout, it’s a San Francisco-based company that tracks influencers and their impact through links, and recommendation on services like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Foursquare, etc.
From their post earlier today on their recent changes to their algorithm:
Today we’re releasing a new scoring model with insights to help you understand changes in your influence. This project represents the biggest step forward in accuracy, transparency and our technology in Klout’s history. Joe shared the full vision behind these changes in his post last week.
Influence is the ability to drive action and is based on quality, not quantity. When someone engages with your content, we assess that action in the context of the person’s own activity. These principles form the basis of our PeopleRank algorithm which determines your Score based on:
- how many people you influence,
- how much you influence them and
- how influential they are.
A majority of users will see their Scores stay the same or go up but some users will see a drop. In fact, some of our Scores here at the Klout HQ will drop — our goal is accuracy above all else. We believe our users will be pleased with the improvements we’ve made.
People are upset about their Klout score dropping. They’re upset about who Klout says they “influence.” It’s quite funny actually the extent to which some people let a software company influence/impact their perceived worth.
To them, I respond:
I couldn’t agree more with these Tweets. Instead of obsessing over your Klout score and perceived worth on what an algorithm says, here are some things you can and SHOULD measure instead…
- How many people are getting exposed to your ideas? Measured in subscribers, shares, etc. “Do Epic Shit” has been one of the most shared posts this year and led to several new subscribers when it was first published.
- How many people are downloading your stuff? In Treehouses is an online magazine that measures downloads in Tweets, payments per edition or email subscribers.
- Are you appearing in search results for important phrases? (Google IDX Best Practices and Diverse Solutions is the number 1 result – that’s a win).
- How many testimonials (solicited or un-solicited) have you received in the last month or two? Remember, what others say about you matters more than what you say about yourself.
- How many word of mouth referrals have you received in the last month?
- How many sales have you made in the last month? Are you reaching your monthly/quarterly goals?
Klout Scores don’t sell houses. People don’t buy your product or service because you have Klout. They buy it based on the recommendations (testimonials) of others.
My point? Focus on measuring things that matter…things that move your business goals forward. Not some algorithm that says your “online influence” score is 55/100.
What say you?
Great, great post! Klout score is nothing more than an indicator, and definitely NOT something to strive for. In a perfect world, we would all just go back to the business of creating value. As soon as you try to “score” it, people will try to game it.
I had some thoughts on the Klout changes today, too, but encapsulated them to the tune of an old Chicago song. Check out: Does Anybody Really Know What My Klout Score Is? http://www.jeffhester.net/2011/10/26/does-anybody-really-care-about-klout/
Re: “In a perfect world, we would all just go back to the business of creating value.”
I dig that sentence. And yes, that IS what we should be focusing on, the rest doesn’t matter. What some algorithm says about your perceived worth isn’t very helpful. Sure, the perks are nice, heh, but beyond that, like I said, it doesn’t help sell your product or service.
Hi Ricardo, I just wanted to say that those who are upset are the ones who judged others on their Klout alone and now that their score is lower they feel others will do the same. Now I myself can understand what numbers measure and mean, am I going to stop being someone’s friend because their Klout score dropped? Certainly not, are people who ignored me prior to knowing my score going to try and be my friend now? Possibly, but I don’t hold grudges, I understand the problem lies in a person’s own self worth and has nothing to do with me.
Re: “I just wanted to say that those who are upset are the ones who judged others on their Klout alone and now that their score is lower they feel others will do the same.” Good point. You know, I find it funny how some people won’t Tweet directly to others because they don’t want to “help” that person’s Klout score.
At the end of the day, it’s just a game. Sure, the perks are nice. But does it help my business? Nope, not one bit.
That’s so true, from what I’ve seen. Those complaining are usually the ones asking for +K’s instead of earning them.
Ricardo,
Once again you get right to the point. I mean I do like Klout, but, I will not lose any sleep about my score dropping. And yes, your closing point is spot on. Great post as always.
That whole klout thing confuses me anyways and it takes the focus off what matters. Make real connections and develop your relationships- and work on your craft – keep making improvement on it.
You are so right, though.. your klout score isn’t making you money anyways!
I understand that things had to change, but everything that we do with klout gives their company exposure on twitter, etc. Seems a little ungrateful.
Keeping things in perspective, no big deal.
The two tweets you included in the screenshots were right on. Especially love this comment by @rashmi “People with real influence don’t go on about their Klout score. Influence is felt, not tweeted about.”
Right on point, my friend. I totally agree with you. I’ve seen a lot of people wanting to quit and leave. It really doesn’t matter what this metric is. It’s all about what value you bring to the conversation.
A little third-party validation can be helpful to “impress” prospective clients, but the best validation, as you rightly point out, is a testimonial from a real live client or an actual referral. Keep it real!
I completely agree! Klout is just another tool
Sorry I’m so late responding, it’s not that I don’t care… believe me! You hit the nail on the head here Ricardo. I always appreciate your point of view.
Klout is just an indicator much like the weight scale I have at home. I use it but it fluctuates too much and it’s NEVER accurate.
It’s all the real world Peter…Hey there Ricardo, love the setup of this site. It flows nicely with an abundance of great content. Will definitely be referencing… I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I’m officially tired of Klout talk.