Technorati’s WTF Got Game(d)

15 May

Posted by Joshua Dorkin as Blogging, Commentary, Content, Social Media, Web Applications

Introducing Technorati’s WTF aka Where’s The Fire

I don’t think it has quite caught on yet, but Technorati has built it’s own answer to Digg, Reddit and the rest of the social news and bookmarking sites. It’s called Where’s The Fire or WTF and covers “What’s Hot, and Why.” Considering the popularity and resources of Technorati, it seems like this should be more popular than it already is . . .

WTF Manipulation

Unfortunately, it seems like people are already manipulating the system. I was just looking and there were 4 stories on the front page of the site all promoting some blog (that is a huge POS). Each story had 15 votes and they were all in different categories for added exposure. WTF’s competition already has methods for dealing with situations like these, and if Technorati doesn’t handle the problem FAST, then it is likely that this application will turn out to be a complete flop.

User Manipulating Technorati’s WTF

If Technorati hopes to gain any ground on the competition for social bookmarking/social news, then they need to get a grip on this ASAP. In addition, publicity is going to be key . . . if no one knows about WTF, then it will never become popular (pretty obvious, I know).

Meanwhile, feel free to vote on and support some of the articles I’ve posted to WTF, or just submit some yourself!

6 Responses

WebStractions

May 15th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
1

I saw your snippet on ‘gaming WTF’ dropped in. What a coincidence, I saw your screenshot late last night and had the same three up there. I posted it about it for a different reason though.

There is another SEO contest “Ngadutrafik 2007″ which was started last April. They are just now getting around to spamming the WTF. Some SEO’s they are, they do not realize those are all ‘nofollow’ links.

There are others using it for website promotion as well, just like you were able to use PRNewswire. They get a bunch of their buddies together and smack that vote button to keep it on fire.

You are right, they need to get a grip on it. Right now, it is something I kind of steering clear of.
kam

May 15th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
2

this was bound to happen you can escape spammers
Joshua Dorkin

May 15th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
3

WebStractions - I’m sticking around WTF more for experimentation then anything else at this point. If they can manage to improve the site, they have a HUGE audience to play to.
Svend

May 15th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
4

I think because its new, of course a small group of people are all voting for each others articles. As it becomes more popular, it will be harder for small bloggers to get the votes needed to be on the top. Blogs like john chow will begin to dominate the scene and the little guys will be pushed out
Joshua Dorkin

May 16th, 2007 at 12:56 am
5

Svend - Hopefully, people will vote for quality material because it is worth voting for, not because any one blogger in particular posted it.
Tracey

October 2nd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
6

its a great way to exposure for blog.thanks for the tips.

“the WTF is a great section to see whats hot