Why Glassdoor.com is Scarier Than Wikipedia
By DONNA BOGATIN • Jun 11th, 2008 • Category: BIG PICTUREWeb 2.0 UGC fave Wikipedia ironically calls itself an “encyclopedia,“ while nevertheless proudly declaring that “TRUTH” IS NOT ITS MISSION!
Wikipedia DOES insist on “verifiability” though, even if FALSEHOODS ARE WHAT ITS “EDITORS” VERIFY!
The latest (not so) stealth one-city, one-industry, launch of a massively PR hyped Web 2.0 (anonymous) UGC play by “name” founders and investors MOCKS BOTH TRUTH AND VERIFIABILITY!
While TechCrunch “co-editor” Erick Schonfeld offers “insights” into Glasssdoor.com “insights,” such as “who knew heated toilet seats at Google are such a big draw,” commenter Dave spills the (real) beans:
For all entrepreneurs this is a good lesson to take note of; when a “concept” can raise $3M without having a solid business model. If John Doe off the street went to Benchmark with this idea he/she would get no further than the front desk and laughed out of the building. Is there a need in the marketplace for something like this? Maybe. But, this could simply end up becoming spam central.
INDEED! Glasdoor.com happily spurs both (perhaps paid) company promoters and (perhaps revenge seeking) employee detractors to hide in the safety of their living rooms while spinning colorful Glassdoor.com traffic building tales:
We suggest using the site from home and using your personal email address when registering.
Glassdoor.com knows how to verify email relationships when business model expedient–such as granting site access to college students–but deliberately is employing a free for all, anonymous UGC acquisition strategy in (not so) good Web 2.0 “viral loop“ VC flip tradition.
Glassdoor.com assures they “trust” posters to be “honest about their employment.” Anonymity does NOT inspire trust by discerning users, however.
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DONNA BOGATIN is the Founder & CEO of STARTUP ALPHA
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