A Very Short Message to the Idiots at Klout

May 20, 2012 96 Comments

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Dear Klout – I have uninstalled your service and blocked your access to my info, period. And yet you’re still trying to get friends to invite me to your crud, never mind invading my sidebar with your stupid app. Please – be a grown-up business with adult management – stop this outdated approach now.

Note: I’m posting this out of frustration, but truth be told, I don’t expect anything to change. After all, why change something when you have so many people buying into it, no matter how invasive your approach..?

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Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: klout, questionable methods

About Danny

Danny Brown is Chief Technologist at ArCompany, helping clients turn social media intelligence into business results. He’s the co-author of Influence Marketing: How to Create, Manage and Measure Brand Influencers in Social Media Marketing, described as "the book that will change the way we do business today." He’s an award-winning marketer whose delivered results for organizations like Microsoft Canada, BlackBerry, FedEx, Ford Canada and LG Electronics, and his blog is recognized as the #1 marketing blog in the world by HubSpot.

191 comments

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Danny Brown

Ari And would you really want to work for a company that places so much value on vaporware?

Danny Brown

Ari And would you really want to work for a company that places so much value on vaporware?

Danny Brown

Ryan Exactly mate. It's the lazy marketer's guide to quick fixes and hopeful hits. Never a great long-term strategy.

Danny Brown

Ryan Exactly mate. It's the lazy marketer's guide to quick fixes and hopeful hits. Never a great long-term strategy.

jureklepic

Danny i think there is a solution to block Klout app for ever getting any invites from. Under Privacy Setting is Option Block App and you can set to block all invites that comes from Klout. This should block as well personal invitation that you get from your friends to join Klout. Hope this help.

DannyBrown

@jureklepic Oh, trust me mate, that app was blocked the minute I left Klout last year. I double-checked and it wasn't authorized or listed in my apps. And I still get that crap? Lame.

jureklepic

Danny Brown moderator

@jureklepic Oh, trust me mate, that app was blocked the minute I left Klout last year. I double-checked and it wasn't authorized or listed in my apps. And I still get that crap? Lame.

LucretiaPruitt

1 Like

May I recommend you have someone else double check to make sure your account is 'deleted' as well? I deleted mine months ago - yet when a friend told me I had 'passed her in Colorado' I went to see and had the standard 'would you like to sign up?' message. Yet she insisted. So I had my husband take a screen shot of my still-very-much-there Klout profile that only *I* wasn't seeing apparently.I've "opted out" again... but seriously, it's like trying to "opt out" from the drug dealer on the corner - they just won't go away.

Danny Brown moderator

1 Like

@LucretiaPruitt That's crazy, though not the first time I've heard examples of it, unfortunately. Do you think there's some kind of caching shenanigans going on so you think you're out when instead you're still in?

jureklepic

@DannyBrown @LucretiaPruitt From first hand.... I am working on some research about online influence and needed some "crap" from Klout to be included in.. Signed myself back in over the weekend.... after being deleted from Klout for nearly 9 months i can tell you next even when you are opt out Klout still does track your activities and calculate the score. In matter of seconds i got score of 63 and 20 topics, they even pull back every single +K that has ever been given to me.... So not big question is do they sell that data behind our back ? So much about being opt out at Klout :)

Danny Brown moderator

@jureklepic @LucretiaPruitt Oh, I'm sure they sell data - just ask @Daniel Agee about the personal information tags he found in the source code...

LucretiaPruitt

DannyBrown

jureklepic

DannyBrown

@jureklepic @LucretiaPruitt Oh, I'm sure they sell data - just ask Daniel Agee about the personal information tags he found in the source code...

sherrickmark

1 Like

Gotta love getting emails from Klout that tell you they decided you have influence in something you've never spoken about on the internet.

Klout became gamable the moment you could give it to other folks...and its rediculous how seriously they all take themselves. They do realize that statistics can be made to say anything that anyone wants, at any time, and tomorrow when the next service comes out, they'll be useless and annoying.

thefutureisred

2 Like

@sherrickmark I've been considering working this. Apparently I'm knowledgeable about apirituality. Maybe because I'm doing a yoga pose in my FB profile? But now I'm on a quest to become STRONG in unicorns and other random things.

I mean, when there's time, I'll work on it and all. :)

sherrickmark

2 Like

@thefutureisred I'm going to start randomly posting words that I have nothing to do with to build myself up in something completely rediculous like flavor testing for cheezits.

Danny Brown moderator

@sherrickmark Agreed, mate. The ones I'm curious about are the companies buying into the Perks program. I'm sure there are some successes, but the majority? How successful are they, and at what cost?

RE. the "next service", there are a couple of guys down Portland way working on something very valid and interesting. Looking to have @Matt Hixson on here to chat more sometime. :)

sherrickmark

1 Like

Oh, I'm sure there are successes, there have to be, otherwise there wouldn;t be so many pretenders. As for the "next" bit, it was more a jab at how fly by night this crap all ends up being in the long run, but valid and interesting has my attention.

sherrickmark

Gotta love getting emails from Klout that tell you they decided you have influence in something you've never spoken about on the internet. Klout became gamable the moment you could give it to other folks...and its rediculous how seriously they all take themselves. They do realize that statistics can be made to say anything that anyone wants, at any time, and tomorrow when the next service comes out, they'll be useless and annoying.

thefutureisred

sherrickmark

@thefutureisred I'm going to start randomly posting words that I have nothing to do with to build myself up in something completely rediculous like flavor testing for cheezits.

DannyBrown

@sherrickmark Agreed, mate. The ones I'm curious about are the companies buying into the Perks program. I'm sure there are some successes, but the majority? How successful are they, and at what cost? RE. the "next service", there are a couple of guys down Portland way working on something very valid and interesting. Looking to have Matt Hixson on here to chat more sometime. :)

sherrickmark

@DannyBrown the buying into it all just makes the whole service irrelevant to begin with. Gamesmanship from day one...worse than all those twitter list things before they got added to twitter for real, and then you have stuff like favstar even. Oh, I'm sure there are successes, there have to be, otherwise there wouldn;t be so many pretenders. As for the "next" bit, it was more a jab at how fly by night this crap all ends up being in the long run, but valid and interesting has my attention.

rdopping

2 Like

What we need to do is watch and distribute Scamworld and join up with that dude who is going after the REAL scammers and the true shitidiots out there. Now that's some scary shite. Klout is baby stuff and like a mosquito. Just flippin' annoying.

samfiorella

4 Like

@rdopping Agreed. It should be ignored. Problem is that while you're busy ignoring it, others are busy judging you with it. So much is made of reputation management for brands, why are so few individuals concerned about reputation management for themselves? You can ignore at your peril or take back control of your influence and opt out. cc @DannyBrown

rdopping

1 Like

@samfiorella @DannyBrown I know I am missing something salient here. So help me out. Why is this so terrible for you guys. What douchebag judges you on whether you're a 70 or 80 or whatever? Not sure i understand why it ACTUALLY has value. If a company is going to dump someone because they have a shitty Klout score then they might not be worth their weight or maybe they are; in crap.

Danny Brown moderator

@rdopping @samfiorella In theory, I agree, mate - the company that uses Klout as a barometer is no company I ever want to work for. The problem arises when it comes to companies *they* work with/for, and they spin a negative review of someone because they don't measure up, and that affects a person's ability to work somewhere they truly want to.

When a platform controls all the information and won't share how they *truly* rate you, that's when the alarm bells start ringing.

Danny Brown moderator

3 Like

@rdopping Yes and no, mate. Sure, we can ignore.

But... what happens when you're turned away for a dream job because your Klout score isn't high enough, and you can't buy that new house you were going to with the raise in salary?

Or, some idiot that's on Twitter all day gets your honeymoon suite because of their score and you and your new wife gets a crappy double room (hotels are now bumping upgrades based on Klout scores)?

Yes, it's a piece of crap that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. The problem is, people are taking notice and using it to make decisions on that can have a non-positive effect on your well-being. And that sucks.

AreMorch

1 Like

In general I advice my Hotel friends not to base any Hotel perks on Klout. Klout is just way to easy to game, so it adds little or no value at all.

But if you have many of your friend or network connections that experience this, please let me know. Then I will most definitive look into it, and write an article that address this.

Cheers...

Are Morch

Hotel Blogger

AreMorch

1 Like

@DannyBrown Hi Danny. Both ReviewPro and Revinate is Reputation Management Companies that I respect. And we collaborate on topics related to Social Media and Hospitality.

Primary this is a service offered to the Hotels, not by the Hotels. And as I understand they added Klout as a channel for Hotels to listen into. The intentions was for Hotels to respond or follow up when a 'influencer' provide info about the Hotel. And Klout will act as one of their cross reference touch points.

I see your point though.

By the way another big company that been playing with this is Virgin America.

So it might be something that I need to look more into.

Cheers my friend..

Are Morch

Hotel Blogger

Danny Brown moderator

1 Like

@AreMorch Hi mate,

True, the Palms was a high visibility deal. Thing is, when Klout is partnering with companies like ReviewPro and Revinate to encourage rewarding influence and giving preference, you have to wonder which ones we're not hearing about...

http://corp.klout.com/blog/2011/03/reviewpro-brings-influence-scoring-to-hotels-with-klout-integration/

http://corp.klout.com/blog/2011/05/revinate-brings-klout-to-the-hotel-business/

Additionally, do you include Cathay Pacific?

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2012/05/cathay-pacific-klout/690921/1

While not technically a hotel, it's most definitely a "luxurious stopover" option when flights are delayed.

Hey ho...

rdopping

2 Like

@DannyBrown true enough. I just don't give a shit, really. Sorry boys but that's the reality of it for me.

RobertDempsey

2 Like

@rdopping @DannyBrown and good for you!

To your previous point about what Klout is doing being baby stuff, I'll agree with Danny being that it's yes and no. Now when it comes to really tracking you online, and I mean everywhere, I'll agree with you there. I'm in the middle of a research project to find out just how much we're being tracked and it is quite a bit by companies you never visit.

But that's for another post :)

rdopping

Is it really so bad? Just ignore the bastards. I finally got +K'ed the other day and it reminded me I was even on Klout. As the newbie sucker that I am I was "all in" when I first started out and then realized they are just......shitidiots......so I just ignored them. My score is 58 without even trying. Does that tell you something? Not me. Don't care. What we need to do is watch and distribute Scamworld and join up with that dude who is going after the REAL scammers and the true shitidiots out there. Now that's some scary shite. Klout is baby stuff and like a mosquito. Just flippin' annoying.

samfiorella

rdopping

DannyBrown

@rdopping Yes and no, mate. Sure, we can ignore. But... what happens when you're turned away for a dream job because your Klout score isn't high enough, and you can't buy that new house you were going to with the raise in salary? Or, some idiot that's on Twitter all day gets your honeymoon suite because of their score and you and your new wife gets a crappy double room (hotels are now bumping upgrades based on Klout scores)? Yes, it's a piece of crap that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. The problem is, people are taking notice and using it to make decisions on that can have a non-positive effect on your well-being. And that sucks.

AreMorch

@DannyBrown Hi Danny. Hotels in general do not upgrade based on Klout Scores. Ad Age had a story back in the days related to Palms Casino that was initiating a Klout Klub. The program Palms is part of is a bit more complex, and require a little more then some Klout. It is a Social Reward Program for customers that share their purchase. Today info has to be shared via either Twitter or Facebook, and guests earn points if their info leads to a purchase. So you have to be an active advocate for the Hotel. In general I advice my Hotel friends not to base any Hotel perks on Klout. Klout is just way to easy to game, so it adds little or no value at all. But if you have many of your friend or network connections that experience this, please let me know. Then I will most definitive look into it, and write an article that address this. Cheers... Are Morch Hotel Blogger

AreMorch

@DannyBrown Hi Danny. Both ReviewPro and Revinate is Reputation Management Companies that I respect. And we collaborate on topics related to Social Media and Hospitality. Primary this is a service offered to the Hotels, not by the Hotels. And as I understand they added Klout as a channel for Hotels to listen into. The intentions was for Hotels to respond or follow up when a 'influencer' provide info about the Hotel. And Klout will act as one of their cross reference touch points. I see your point though. By the way another big company that been playing with this is Virgin America. So it might be something that I need to look more into. Cheers my friend.. Are Morch Hotel Blogger

DannyBrown

@AreMorch Hi mate, True, the Palms was a high visibility deal. Thing is, when Klout is partnering with companies like ReviewPro and Revinate to encourage rewarding influence and giving preference, you have to wonder which ones we're not hearing about... http://corp.klout.com/blog/2011/03/reviewpro-brings-influence-scoring-to-hotels-with-klout-integration/ http://corp.klout.com/blog/2011/05/revinate-brings-klout-to-the-hotel-business/ Additionally, do you include Cathay Pacific? http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2012/05/cathay-pacific-klout/690921/1 While not technically a hotel, it's most definitely a "luxurious stopover" option when flights are delayed. Hey ho...

rdopping

@DannyBrown true enough. I just don't give a shit, really. Sorry boys but that's the reality of it for me.

RobertDempsey

@rdopping @DannyBrown and good for you! To your previous point about what Klout is doing being baby stuff, I'll agree with Danny being that it's yes and no. Now when it comes to really tracking you online, and I mean everywhere, I'll agree with you there. I'm in the middle of a research project to find out just how much we're being tracked and it is quite a bit by companies you never visit. But that's for another post :)

Kneale Mann

1 Like

I often remark back to when I ran radio stations and my morning team felt compelled to rip on the team across the street. For what purpose? Pay attention gives attention. Or as the Bard once inked, me think doth protest too much. Not one client or prospect has ever asked for my influence scores. I don't suspect they ever will so it deserves no attention.

Danny Brown moderator

2 Like

@Kneale Mann The problem is, mate, companies ARE paying attention to Klout score. Just ask @markwschaefer or @samfiorella on how that's playing out. Sure, we can ignore it - but the we can also highlight why playing to that strategy is dubious. It can only get "worse".

Kneale Mann

@DannyBrown @markwschaefer @samfiorella - That may be true. I have not had anyone at Johnson & Johnson (one of my clients) ask me for my Klout score when I do leadership consulting. We will always keep score, that's what we do or we wouldn't have counters on everything.

Danny Brown moderator

@LucretiaPruitt @samfiorella They have the morals of Marquis de Sade...

LucretiaPruitt

@DannyBrown @samfiorella checking https://twitter.com/settings/applications showed me both the klout opt-out app and the klout app still authorized (again? I know I revoked the klout one) so they have both been revoked. All that does is keep them from 'linking' tho - not reporting I guess.

LucretiaPruitt

1 Like

@samfiorella holy crap. I just went to make sure it wasn't in my Facebook apps via their privacy settings - "Klout Opt-Out Last logged in: May 14Remove appLast data access:Basic InformationMay 14" According to that? The 'opt-out' app let them back into my account?If that's not me somehow ending up with something unaffiliated? They're being worse than before.I'm off to lock it down even tighter.

Danny Brown moderator

@samfiorella @LucretiaPruitt Wankers.

samfiorella

@LucretiaPruitt Yes, well I was correct in mistrusting Klout's adherence to it's privacy policies. My score is back. And even though I've sent screen grabs to Klout showing my Facebook settings do NOT authorize their scanning of my posts, they are still doing it. It's easier to break free of a drug dealer than Klout.

LucretiaPruitt

1 Like

@samfiorella I've got the same 'bug' - as of last week... so I'm doubting it's resolved.

Kneale Mann

1 Like

@DannyBrown - I'm on the road next week. Shoot me an email and we'll book something soon!

Kneale Mann

@samfiorella @DannyBrown - In a hundred years, no one will care. We can probably move on.

samfiorella

2 Like

@Kneale Mann Good luck with that Kneale. 5 months after I opted out, my "score" was still showing up in people's streams. (the "bug" has since been corrected according to Klout's CEO who sent a personal note of apology - to his credit). I'm still dubious that a score is not being created/shared however.

Danny Brown moderator

1 Like

@Kneale Mann Good luck with that, mate - now you have to unlink all those accounts and then hope they don't jump into your life again. ;-)

By the way, call next week, Tuesday PM?

Kneale Mann

@DannyBrown - Thanks, you have successfully opted out of Klout. You will be removed from Klout.com within 24-48 hours. You will be removed from our API within 7 days. If you decide to opt back into Klout you will have to sign up again and it will take at least 90 days for us to accurately measure your influence. For the quickest removal from our systems you can choose to deauthorize the Klout app from your social accounts by going into the relevant network’s settings page.

Danny Brown moderator

@Kneale Mann Oh yeah, that is one thing they're good at.. ;-)

Here you go, sir:

http://klout.com/corp/optout

Kneale Mann

1 Like

@DannyBrown - No! They keep hiding the delete your profile option - find it for me and bye bye klout. Link please!

Danny Brown moderator

@Kneale Mann @markwschaefer @samfiorella But you do keep it connected, just in case? ;-)

http://klout.com/#/knealemann

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