Sidewiki – Google’s latest plug-in which allows Web site visitors to add commentary and notes to any Web page with this feature enabled.
Although these comments are largely uncontrolled and unmonitored, Google has built in a few features help users and Webmasters, including:
- More relevant comments are brought to the top of the page, based on an algorithm which factors in previous posts by the commenter, account feedback from the manager of the page and other indicators that Google has developed over the years.
- Users can rank the usefulness of the comments, and report any abuse or misuse of the comments feature.
As Sidewiki becomes more prevalent on the Internet, marketers will be able to use it to improve search engine ranking and to alter Web site content to fit their users’ needs and demands more appropriately.
