If you are involved in online marketing, you have likely heard of Google’s newest addition to its Toolbar- the Google Sidewiki.  This feature allows anyone to make comments and provide any information that shows up when others (using the Google toolbar) pull up your website.

Just as with any wiki, there is some good intention here in that it is providing more social media and community elements to the Internet.  However, it is also an invitation for competitors, spammers and unscrupulous visitors to harm your business. . . and you have no control over what content will show up alongside your website.

Many feel like this feature goes a little too far since the comments show up right alongside your site when someone pulls up your website. This is very different from third party comments showing up on another independent site.

While I have had discussions with lawyers about the legal implications which could arise, I think the best solution to help your business avoid this fate is to use technology.  There are several Google Sidewiki “blockers” out there and I think it is well worth reviewing them for an appropriate solution if you run a website where others can exploit the Google Sidewiki to hurt your business.

My team is in the process of testing some of these blockers but you can learn about them by just googling “Google Sidewiki blocker”.

Filed under: Business Planning

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