Ever wondered what a Klout Score is, that's related to your Twitter account?
Well, it's suppose to give you some sort of meaningful ranking. And indeed, everyone gets a number. Let's take a quick look at what a Klout Score is and, more importantly, what it gives you and what it fails to do.
A Rating
Well, my Martin_Cooney Twitter account has a Klout Score of 47 and I'm supposedly classified as an 'Explorer':
What an absolute pile of rubbish. Sure I'm interested in the social web and social media. I'm also madly interested in relationships, photography as well as funny stories and I've retweeted many of these along the way.
Then it goes on to explain that I'm influenced by Ed Dale, Mr Tweet, Loopt, Dan Raine and LoveQ. Goodness me, that's simply a barefaced lie. I've never retweeted any of the first 4 people and only a few ocassions the last. Actually, I fail to remember the last time I saw any of their tweets nor responded to any of them.
The Hoax
What's even more interesting is the apparent lack of authenticity. I run a number of Twitter accounts such as my personal Martin_Cooney, the GeekandJock user that's related to this Geek and Jock website as well as a number of others - including a number of test accounts. It's the testing Twitter users that's one reason to write this article. One such account has a Klout Score of 48 and classified as an 'Activist' - this identity is on full auto-pilot. It uses TweetAdder for full following, autofollow and follower requests. It also publishes RSS feeds which are automatically hashtagged and tweeted. There simply isn't a real person (at the moment) that does anything manual on the account.
Just shows you how easy it is to fool Klout.
The Business Downside
Riddle me this, Batman.
What real value does a Klout Rating give a person or a business? I racked my brain on this one and I'm stumped. Nothing whatsoever.
- Influencers aren't real
- The numbered score is meaningless
- Adds zero value to your experience
- Zero Return on Investment of resources and time spent
- Your so-called Twitter persona of 'Explorer', 'Activist' etc is artifical
Should I be more influenced by a person's interests, the value or their tweets and content, who they come recommended by OR some silly little score number?
Real people and real businesses need to rely on solid information as well as congruent connections. Doing your best to increase your Klout Score adds nothing to reputation nor a business' bottom line - ROI.
My advice: Ditch any and all efforts in increasing an artifical score by these sorts of websites and concentrate more on the value and areas where you'll gain tangible returns.
Your Turn Now
About TheGeek
Personal: DTE, honest, quirky humor, compassionate and upfront. Easy going and love to laugh. Into good food, wine and great company - as well as coffee. I’ll talk to almost anyone …. ok, anyone…. Follow me on Google+ too
Professional: Results focused senior business developer, general manager and team leader, with a proven track record in building and managing strategic alliance partnerships, delivering innovative products and services and in strong financial management.
Nez
I'm guessing the Ed Dale and Dan Raine factor is because of me as I follow and have retweeted both of them. Shows how flawed the whole thing really is. I asked for opinion on Klout via Twitter over the weekend and the results were simply that it was utter crap not worth our time.
TheGeek
Yeah, Nez, I guessed the same with Ed and Dan too.
Personally, I think Klout is simply praying on people's ego to reach a high number so they think they're more of an influencer than they are, in reality. And once they reach some level of critical mass, as they look like they are at the moment, they're able to monetise through retailers who wish to reach an audience through offers etc.
Nice to hear from others that they also see little value, from a marketing point of view.
Oh and thanks too for the comment and the visit, mate – we need to catch up for a coffee sometime too.
Steve Hoare
Interesting, in a "what will they think of next" kind of way. This sounds like Astrology – come up with any old random non-specific bollocks and package it with a flattering label. Make up some pseudo-scientific background to make it sound valid and then head out to target the unsuspecting public.
Joan Miller (Luxegen
I agree…what's the point? If you tweet one topic or niche then your score moves up and you are labeled an Influencer. If you happen to be a normal balanced person who is interested in many things you have a lower klout score. What relevance does this have in the grand scheme of things? Not much, I think.
Entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki recently commented that the Nobodies are the New Somebodies. The nobodies can become a project's biggest cheerleader…In his opinion the Nobodies are the new Influencers. I agree with him.
TheGeek
A big huge welcome to the site, Joan – thank you for taking the time to pop in your thoughts.
Yes, some people must feel it's like hitting the jackpot – since writing the post (I just checked) and my uber-coolio means-much Klout score has gone from 47 to 51. And that means ………….. zippo, nada, nothing, meaningless to anyone.
I do know one guy who suggests that some organisations require you to have a good Klout Score before hiring – though I think that organisation must be totally out of touch, you'd be better off working for someone else who's actually in touch with reality.
Another suggests some companies are offering discounts on items if you have a healthy relationship with your Klout Score – believe what you want, personally, I think it's all a flash in the pan and won't be around all that long.