Thoughts on the impact of Google Sidewiki on travel
By Darren Cronian on Friday, September 25th, 2009

Earlier in the week I was reading on TechCrunch about a new service from Google called Sidewiki. Basically, visitors will be able to leave comments and rate the website. You might remember a post I wrote about fake websites and how to spot them; well I could see benefits for this service.

Thoughts on the impact of Google Sidewiki on travel

Potential problems over fake comments

Travel technology news site Tnooz has more information about Sidewiki.

The problem I can see though is that you could find fake comments on websites and if companies aren’t in control of the comments left then this could quickly cause problems. On the other hand you would not want companies removing feedback that is true but negative.

Save time searching

I like to be able to see other people’s comments on the service that the company have provided. It would save time searching the internet for negative mentions. But from a blogger perspective, what if someone was to leave fake negative comments about the blog, this could affect advertising.

Potential libel issues

Also considering I was in libel trouble earlier this year because of a third-party comment, what potential libel implications does this type of tool have on Google and the people who leave the comments? You can imagine the types of notes that are going to be left, who is going to police this.

Your thoughts on Google Sidewiki

I am concerned about the power that Google has over the internet but I can see positives and negatives about this service. I would be interested to hear your thoughts about this new service either as a consumer if you work within the travel industry.


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14 responses to “Thoughts on the impact of Google Sidewiki on travel”

Stuart Robinson | 25 September, 2009 at 9:34 pm

As a consumer it is good to be able to add our thoughts and opinions on websites and services but as a small business it is a concern that anyone and everyone can leave their opinions about my company and I have no control over that.

Trip Advisor has created an excellent resource but when hotels are having cancellations or no bookings because of a fake review thats when it becomes worrying. Google is becoming so powerful online.

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Daniele Beccari | 25 September, 2009 at 11:20 pm

I agree with your concern, it’s the same issue we have with anonymous Tripadvisor reviews as opposed as real guest reviews written on Venere, HRS, Booking.com etc.

However tie that with integration of user identities through social networks so that you can see first the reviews written by people close to you from your networks, and it starts making a lot of sense to me…

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Jane | 26 September, 2009 at 1:09 am

Darren I have noticed that you have added a note to your Sidewiki, which I think is a wisestep, and I also think that companies now need to monitor this like they do Google alerts and other monitoring services.

Scary times for brands. The end of having control over your brand?

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Darren Cronian | 26 September, 2009 at 1:15 am

@ Daniele / Jane / Stuart

I think its scary about the monopoly that the likes of Google and Trip advisor are having on travel. When someone can leave fake reviews or comments about a brand, then this opens up a ton of new issues.

Yesterday I was reading aa blog post from a B&B owner who had 2 fake reviews left on TA, this could potentially affect their livelyhood because so much authority is put into the reviews on TA that people use them to make a booking decision.

It has an impact on people’s livelyhood and while the big brands might not be impacted by a few negative comments on sidewiki I think smaller travel businesses who rely on their brand need to seriously keep a check of what is being said.

It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes travel companies to use sidewiki and monitor what people are saying.

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Alfred | 26 September, 2009 at 7:19 am

I think its is a best idea! Because with sidewiki project Google catch spammer easily. and visitor will be able to search traveling, picnicking points and other information.

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Jane | 26 September, 2009 at 6:17 pm

Thank you for bringing this to my attention Darren.

I work for a PR agency and we will be monitoring what comments are left on client websites. I was wondering. Can comments be left on individual pages or will we see all comments left from the homepage?

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Greg | 26 September, 2009 at 11:28 pm

A storm in a teacup. Normal internet users will not use this tool. It will just be people like you, savvy internet users that might try and use it. Can you remember all the fuss that Knol received when Google launched it? When was the last time you heard it mentioned.

It’ll blow over.

That aside I do think companies need to monitor their pages regularly.

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Natalie Robinson | 27 September, 2009 at 1:26 am

This is just another reason why companies need to make sure that they are offering the best possible service to consumers. It is another tool that can damage a brand, just like twitter and other social media networks.

I think people who monitor brands the job is going to become more difficult if regular users add on this tool. At the moment you have to add it on to use the tool, but I suspect a new version of the toolbar will appear soon with it included.

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Pingback - Fly Away Cafe | 27 September, 2009 at 10:35 am

[...] Travel Rants talks about Google Sidewiki.  What do you think? [...]

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Rob | 27 September, 2009 at 10:04 am

Another feeble attempt by Google to get some of the wiki action. It’s a dud product. It’s been tried before. Timing, Google having more resources – doesn’t matter.

Spam, distracting, takes control of comments away from website owners, most people who comment would rather comment on the websites themselves (if they have comment sections), could take comments away from the websites (so website owners don’t want to use it).

It won’t take off, much like their other “get the world to create free content (good little doggy) for us and increase our revenues and dominance” product (Google Knol) hasn’t taken off.

Forget about it.

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Darren Cronian | 27 September, 2009 at 11:48 am

@ Rob

I think you are right. I am playing devils advocate a little here, but its an interesting discussion. For the first time website owners/companies lose control over content left on their own website. IF it does take off I can see it becoming very messy.

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Rob | 28 September, 2009 at 8:16 am

“I can see it becoming very messy.”

Yeah, definitely. Lawsuit heaven. And continuous bad press for Google. Silly idea.

I also find it amusing that Google expect website owners (most of whom don’t want the darn thing) to spend their time reporting abusive comments. Some of my sites have 50,000+ pages.

The thing has no chance at all of succeeding in its current form. It’s clearly going to generate tons of bad press (already has).

If it was opt-in and the site owner could edit comments, then it would be fine. But then the number of users will be small, so it’s possible Google would shelve the project due to poor uptake.

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Claude | 28 September, 2009 at 10:12 am

With Google Universal Search, you can write reviews since more than 2 years.

Of course can be “fake” reviews as well ;-(

It’s a very basic tool

For example, try to post a “fake” review on The Mirage in Las Vegas
here http://tinyurl.com/ycpvvhb

You can also have a “fake” account (ex : hotel name competitor, fake name, etc)

The Google Cow Boys are note serious in this space!!!!

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Darren Cronian | 28 September, 2009 at 9:04 pm

@ Rob

Do you think though that the fact that they are rolling this out on the toolbar, which I know alot of non web savvy people use, means that this could become popular with people. Interesting a work colleague mentioned Sidewiki today and I wouldn’t say he is web savvy.

You obviously are all welcome to leave me feedback on my SideWiki, I got there first though ;)

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