Who Won and Lost in the Great Klout Klear-out?

Oct 26 2011

So today saw the implementation of another major algorithm change for Klout.  Many will have seen a drop – some quite significant – in their scores (11 for me, I don’t mind telling you), which may seem devastating at first, but there is good news!  As promised, Klout appears to be feeding back much more information about the reasons behind shifts in your score, which itself alludes us users to what remedial actions we might want to take, in order to propel ourselves skyward once more!  Here are some key insights, form my first hour or so of snooping around…

True Reach

Klout has turned whistleblower, in general, but especially with True Reach and Network Impact.  You can now see who, amongst your networks, has failed to be influenced by you in recent times.  Perhaps you’ll have good reason not to be causing a reaction amongst some.  Others … perhaps those with the high scores … you’ll want to cling onto for dear life.  Perhaps a change of content that appeals to those individuals?  Once more influencing a handful of “bigtime Charlies” could be enough to put you back on track.

Amplification

Pointers are now presented as to which platforms are responsible for any movement in your amplification.  The vast majority of users I have spoken to today, cite their low engagement in Facebook as the primary cause of their lowered score.  Many admit that having influence in Facebook either isn’t a focus for them, or isn’t something they are comfortable in doing – either through a different persona being presented to Facebook contacts, who tend to be real-world friends – or through lack of strategy, in causing likes and comment.

Network Impact

Another level of influence … if the True Reach, or respective influence, of individuals in your network also drops, you’ll suffer due to their misfortune.  Time to be much more discerning about who you hang out with!  Perhaps the remedy here is to aid your “weaker” friends, and using your own influence to better involve them in the networks you both share.  The classic 2 birds, 1 stone … Shared contacts, once influenced, can benefit you both!

So what do you make of the changes?  A good thing that transparency, or some at least, has finally found it’s way to the historical “black box”?  Perhaps you’re a traditionalist, who joined Klout for the early-days Twitter focus, and doesn’t welcome the inclusion – much less the elevated influence – of Facebook and other networks, on your score?  Your thoughts and musings, as ever, most welcome!

 

9 responses so far

  • http://twitter.com/SpinStrategy Tim Tyrell-Smith

    Hey Matt – On some days I am surprised about how much attention I am paying to changes like this from Klout.  This is great news for Klout from a PR standpoint – how cool if everyone were talking about us.  Even if a portion were negative. 

    We’re like a bunch of kids fighting for Mom’s adoration. 

    On another note, I am getting really tired of this idea that I need to change who I am so that the algorithm will love me again in new ways.  And frustrated that my most influential tool (my wp.org blog) doesn’t make the list of possible contributors.  But Facebook does.  A place I will never try to “influence”.

  • Anonymous

    Wow, I saw some scores really tank today…Someone in my network drop 17.  That’s a lot.  I knew the changes were coming today, but didn’t expect it to be this dramatic.  Obviously, there are a lot of frustrated and irritated users out there tonight, but will this be enough to push them away? 

    I do like stock price (30 Day Up – Down) addition, but will have to dig deeper to see other positives.  

    70 is the new 80 :)

  • http://twitter.com/WarmMilkJournal Debra

    Thank you. I was so curious what happened! I appreciate the information. Have a nice day.

  • http://www.memoirsofasingledad.com Memoirs of a Single Dad

    I disagree with a (major) content shift to appeal to those that are influential. If you’re writing what people want to read, then I think you’re potentially being untrue to why you started writing to begin with. Present unique views, don’t regurgitate what’s already been said, provide additional insight, ask questions and start discussions. That’s how I’d prefer to increase my level of engagement.

  • Anonymous

    Absolutely right, Daniel.  I would always recommend keeping within the bounds of your own values and intent, when creating content.  If a Klout score is what you seek, for whatever reason, then it should just be about a small adjustment of strategy.  For me, quality connections, based on commonality, are of greater importance than the score.

  • http://www.instantdane.tv Dane Findley

    Is Klout factoring-in G+ engagement yet?

  • oneluvgurl

    “The reason you may have seen a drop is that we’ve improved our ability
    to take into account how *much* you influence someone. For instance, if I
    rarely like or comment on anyone’s posts, but choose to do so to yours,
    that is more meaningful than if I like 60 posts a day. For users whose
    engagement primarily comes from others with high activity, you may see a
    drop in your Score.” – via Klout

    So this means I have to be a snob and only respond to a few people? The whole point of social media is to be SOCIAL. Engage. Discuss.

    However, if someone won’t talk to me based on a Klout score, I don’t want to talk to them anyways.

  • http://thezargon.org Fernando Fonseca

    if you are tired of having Klout using your data for its own (financial) benefit I have found a solution to have them permanently delete your profile:
    http://thezargon.org/googleplus/2011/10/how-to-get-klout-to-delete-your-profile-permanently/

     All of this would not be necessary if Klout would enforce a opt-out feature or make the service opt-in.

  • http://www.matthodkinson.com Matt Hodkinson

    Yes, but the suspicion is that Twitter and FB still account for the largest proportion of Klout score.  Look forward to the day when a new algorithm elevates the importance of G+ engagement.  I suspect a few scores will drop that day!