What is Klout?
The Klout Score measures influence based on your ability to drive action. Every time you create content or engage you influence others. The Klout Score uses data from social networks in order to measure:
- True Reach: How many people you influence
- Amplification: How much you influence them
- Network Impact: The influence of your network
What did they change?
I got an email this morning explaining that as of today Klout.com made some “improvements” in their metrics to the way that scores are calculated. This seems to be the new thing this year with services that track social stats. Google made changes to Page Rank. Compete.com made changes to their stat reporting. I swear Alexa.com must have made changes to their stats as well. My Alexa score went up (which is bad) about 13,000 over the past few weeks even though traffic has not dipped, and links in increased. They all have their reasons for doing things. But, it often leaves those of us affected scratching our heads.
My Klout score had reached a high of 72 at one point. It did not stay for very long. I was busy, I was not tweeting much, so I could expect my score to drop. But, for the past month or so it was steady at 65-66 every day. Well today, it is down to 58. And apparently I am lucky to have had my score drop only 7 points because some others scores dropped by more than 20.
For quite a while Klout scores were just fun. It did not mean much. It was just a way for us to see if we were making a difference in social media. This was until brands started paying attention. I have had to list my Klout score a couple of times on applications for opportunities. And now, the score that I just listed on one 3 days ago is invalid. If they were looking for those with scores of over 60, I am out. So, brands need to be well aware of the changes that were made an change their own means of measuring to match what was done.
For more details, read the Klout Corporate Blog. And in the comments you can see that users are not happy.
I’m in the same boat as you only mine went down even more (66 to 52.) I abhor the fact that brands are putting so much weight on Klout scores – it’s far too subjective latest technology new. To ask for a Klout score on a job app (or to make employment decisions based on the score) is absolutely ridiculous to me latest mobile phones. You still have the same knowledge and skill set today that you had a week ago, but your Klout score is below 60 now so that means something? Ludicrous!
It’s such a shame that these metrics can determine who works with who, etc. This was a well written post and I like the way it broke down what Klout actually does. Hoping that over time, this number (Klout score) won’t be the end all to be all.
Thanks. I also put in a tweet to @Klout today which I hope that they answer. Under Perks, one of them says that I am not eligible, but when I read the eligibility requirements I clearly meet them all. Annoying. I just wonder if it is a bug, or if I am missing something.
My klout score drop from 62 to 49 *sigh* guess no more perks for me. damn them!
I’m in the same boat as you only mine went down even more (66 to 52.) I abhor the fact that brands are putting so much weight on Klout scores – it’s far too subjective. To ask for a Klout score on a job app (or to make employment decisions based on the score) is absolutely ridiculous to me. You still have the same knowledge and skill set today that you had a week ago, but your Klout score is below 60 now so that means something? Ludicrous!
That explains my score dropping 5 pts.