Google SideWiki and Internet Reputation Management
I’ve been playing with the new Google SideWiki feature that comes with the latest version of Google Desktop. It was released 23rd September. It’s awesome, but I can see big problems in the future from a reputation management point of view. These are:
1. Anyone can make any comment about just about any web page on the internet.
2. Web site owners cannot delete or moderate comments. At best they can “claim” thew top entry in the list if they know how to use Google Webmaster tools.
3. Marketers could use Google SideWiki to draw away visitors to other sites. Image finding a high traffic news site with no SideWiki entries and putting a link to your web site. Worth a shot 
4. Password sharing for news and porn sites will become a problem
5. There will be a rush to register fake Gmail accounts for the purpose of SideWiki spamming
The upside is that it gives power to the masses. Been ripped off? Just leave a Google SideWiki comment for all to see.
The big question is whether the general public are going to bother installing and using the Google Toolbar.
It’s going to be very interesting and I can see lots of lawyers rubbing their hands with glee.
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