Is Technorati Authority a Joke?

November 16, 2007

I'm new to blogging. Does that make me a dumb? I don't know, because I really felt like that when i signed up at Technorati (according expert bloggers, is some sort of powerful and popular blog search engine). The story start when I got really shocked for a few reasons:

1. A few of my blogs have been there for as long as it was up (good).
2. I see my unclaimed Binh dot Name blog have 7 authorities (good or bad?).

"What is Authority?"

Answer 1: Ownership

I got really surprised and asked myself over and over again: "Hey! That's my blog, how come it have 7 authorities already? Who are those people got onto my blog". I click on that "Authority: 7" button again and again a few times just to find out who owned my blog. But each time it would lead me to the blog profile... so annoyed and disappointed, I was.

Then I asked myself: "Am I being noob?"

Is it sort of JOKE? At my very novice first impression I thought someone took over the ownership of my blog. And even worse, I thought 7 people got a hand on owning my blog.

Answer 2: Membership

The joke didn't end so soon. I tried to search Technorati site for some hint, but maybe it's just for experts, so I couldn't really find an answer to it.

I, being a human finally realize what it means by looking at other blogs listed on Technorati. Still, the concept was misunderstood. I thought it was the number of people who added my blog to their favorite list, or maybe it's members of my blog community like in MyBlogLog. But anyway, I got calmed down and put the issue aside for a bit.

Answer 3: Non of the above

That's enough to make me laugh, when 6 hours passed, I posted 2 long posts, and read many pages of blog, still got the misconception in mind.

When things are done, I decide to search for "What is Technorati Authority" on Google, and found this page: What is Authority? Finally I realize, it's Technorati who plays the game of creating new English term.

I strongly agree with Micro Persuasion about the term "Authority" and its very natural English meaning:

According to the Oxford Dictionary, authority is:

a) the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience

Hmmm, Technorati link counts don't let me boss anybody around.

b) a person or organization having power or control in a particular, typically political or administrative, sphere

Hmmm, nothing about links here.

c) the power to influence others, esp. because of one's commanding manner or one's recognized knowledge about something

There was a noticeably very long comment from Deepak explaining the word Authority in Technorati use. Regardless of how acceptable his explaination is, it's just an excuse from a "blog authority" who try to alter the meaning of an English word just for the sake of "being authority".

Conclusion

Well, I feel Technorati should admit it's improper use of the word authority in place of the word popularity or more simpler term "inbound links". Making novice people wondering around not knowing a term, just doesn't make you any cooler. Even if it's too late, or too ashamed to admit it, then at least Technorati should:

Describe term Authority everywhere it present, especially right after the sign-up complete.

The blogosphere is not a game world, we consist of real people, and real readers. So please consider using some term that's more simple to understand. Perhaps the "high authority" people in Technorati should think about the KISS principle. Use the KISS and you may get real kisses.

(Just in case people don't know, KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid, kiss = using your mouth to kiss. )

Tags: Resources