Google Sidewiki ... Friend or Foe?

I'm actually quite fascinated with this little tool from Google...  apparently its quite controversial and I can see why.

So far I've not really done a lot with it, other that leave complaints on websites to warn other people about dodgy dealings...  one of the main comments that sticks in my mind is a site where I bought my girlfriend some flowers and she did not get anywhere near the amount of flowers that were in the picture, I complained directly and got little worthy response, so decided to take action. I think people are usually more driven to complain using Sidewiki than they are to give due praise.  That’s just human nature I guess.  

If you don’t know what Google Sidewiki is then I will explain.  If you download google toolbar it can do a few different things for you.  Page Rank Checker is one of the ones I most frequently use, but further to that it gives you a tab at the left side of the screen where you can leave comments and info about the page you are currently viewing, you also need to be logged into your google account.

The problem I think is that there is no real moderation of the comments and if you have the tool bar installed then its basically people adding content to a site without any approval from the webmaster.  I for one don’t think this is a bad thing,  I welcome any feedback on my website and business, positive or negative.  However I would prefer to know that this feedback was being given.  I bet most webmasters don’t even know this feature exists.  Maybe some option from google to disable this feature on your site would be more beneficial...  But I don’t think that’s why google has added this feature.

Transparency is the name of the game, if you have nothing to hide then I don’t think this feature will be a bad thing for you, however if the Google toolbar becomes a lot more prolific and a “must have addon” then scammers beware!

As a webmaster I would defiantly “Claim you webpage” in sidewiki using Google Webmaster Tools, that way at least you can monitor the posts on your new website comments board.  You can also post a “Message from the page owner” at the top of all pages on your website.

What do you think of Sidewiki?  Friend or Foe?  Have you had any bad comments?  Happy with good comments?

Please let us know your opinion, positive or negative.

David Dawson - Promotional Products : Webmaster and Geek

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Your Comments (8)

Terp

January 23, 2010

Here's what I don't like about it!

[look at the sidewiki I left for this page]

steve

January 23, 2010

Hi Terp ... I wasn't able to see your Sidewiki note ... is that a good thing?

Terp

January 23, 2010

Strange, Steve...left it using IE and I didn't see it when using FF, either...just left another one, though, so perhaps it will appear now.

I simply left a link to one of my sites, which is what I don't like about the Sidewiki, though Google does use a redirect URL.

I can see competitors really liking this feature, if you know what I mean.

Maybe I am wrong.

JeremyReger

January 23, 2010

I dont see the Sidewiki at all

David Dawson

January 26, 2010

you need to install google toolbar

Diseyeder

January 28, 2010

Sidewiki is only the beginning. More dangerous tools are out there, on the horizon. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noEDZAlfJ1g (2.5 min video). Its a browser add-on (http://deepnet.us) that lets users insert images, comments, links, directly IN THE MIDDLE of any page.

steve

January 28, 2010

Hi Diseyeder

Wow, thanks for that link.

Deepnet turns the whole web into a wiki? That concept is large enough that it's really going to take some time to sink in this morning. I presume it's a more powerful version of some of the features people are mentioning for Google Wave (embedded wikis anywhere on a site)

David Dawson

January 28, 2010

I don't think that a major player like google would endorse something like deepnet though.

A comments page is one thing... people changing your actual design may be a step too far.