I’ve always been interested in how geeks online try and mirror real life for some time. Sentiment analysis of twitter, for example, or the measurement of influence with tools like Peerindex or Klout.
Last week Linkedin introduced a system of endorsing its users using a single click, similar to how Klout asks you to do. Yesterday the tool arrived in the UK. It is an extension of Linkedin’s ‘Skills’ feature where you are asked to describe your key skills which are then added to your profile. Now people connected to you can endorse one of your skills simply by clicking on it.
In a world where we need to check each other out, it seems to make sense to try and see the true credibility of strangers. Who better to approach for advice than someone you know and trust? If you don’t know them, maybe there is another way you can trust them? Perhaps someone else you know trusts them?
I can see the point of these tools. They are convenient, but are they realiable? I’m not so sure about that.
Over the last year since we did some experimentation with PeerIndex when trying to explain the value of twitter to non-users in the construction industry. This was quite effective because people are interested in some of the qualities of these tools – the way they let certain types of people rise to the top of lists, for example. Saves you some time, or at least it should do.
For me the problem with one-click and algorithm based ‘reputation networks’ is that they are trying to recreate the real thing, rather than simply visualise it. This makes them bound to fail. You can become influential in something even if you aren’t – hence the value is destroyed.
If someone can give you +1 with one click, the same system can be gamed by charlatans. So much more effective are one or two personal recommendations on your linkedin profile, from clearly genuine people who have worked with you. How they write about it gives away so much about what they think about you. This information is much more reliable.
If you want to leave Klout here’s a good place to start.
Hi Su,
I entirely agree with your point about LinkedIns new endorse feature. When I noticed it, I immediately thought it would be abused. It wouldn’t take much for someone to write a web robot to do this automatically automatically endorse people.
Steven
I shouldn’t type on the iPad. I make mistakes all the time.
It wouldn’t take much effort for someone to write a web robot to automatically endorse people.
Thanks Steven,
Yes it is a risk – and not to worry about the mistake, I only noticed it when you mentioned it!
There’s been some more discussion on Twitter today about Linkedin’s endorsement tool, and I used this example to show how powerful genuine endorsements can be.
Look at these two companies recommendations for their products. Don’t they give you confidence?
Ash Sakula Architects – Architectural Design Recommendations
Objective Computing Limited – Software Development for Airlines Recommendations
My problem with the LinkedIn approach is that it suggests what people might like to endorse you for, rather than letting them choose. I’ve got a large number of endorsements for renewable energy which is a secondary area of expertise but many fewer for culture change which makes up the bulk of my business and which I’ve written an ebook about!
Hi Gareth,
Thanks for this comment, yet another problem with the Linkedin endorsement ‘game’. A similar problem happens with Klout which identifies where you are considered influential (not always correctly IMHO) and then encourages people to endorse you in these areas.
Not really a good substitute for human deduction!
Su
Su
When I first noticed Linkedin’s new ” Endorsements” platform, I took the view, probably like a lot of people did, that it was a good thing to have visable of the profile. All seem to be going ok to start with, until about 10 days in and I was getting endorsed for what might aswell have been ” Toilet Cleaner of the year ” lol!!!!
It took me a further 2 weeks to fathom out what was “really” going on and it comes down to this philosophy of “I’ll scratch your back, If you scratch mine” .
I have always tried to be thoughtful, kind, considerate etc towards other people, but I don’t see the benefit of me endorsing someone I have never met or spoken to before and / or done business with.
To stop all the problems that endorsements seems to be throwing up, I believe that Linkedin should do away with it altogether and keep the Testimonials format as a means of praising someone for what they have done.
James
Hi James,
Thanks for your honest insight. With Linkedin I think people naturally assume whatever they do is a good thing, because they have such a good reputation!
There isn’t currently a way to entirely opt out of endorsements, but you can hide them from your profile (as I have done) see the guidance here:
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/34994
There are a series of articles on Linkedin’s help pages about endorsements here:
http://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/31888/related/1
I agree with you though – its a distraction!