Recently, Google officially launched a new feature/tool call “Sidewiki”  that allows consumers to post, share, and promote comments on a side bar of websites if they are logged into a Google account. While it is too early to determine if this new wiki feature for consumer comments will take off, I would encourage marketers and brands to get familiar with the feature, “claim their namespace” with an initial comment or use their boilerplate or main service number, as well as begin to monitor what is being posted. The search engine space is actively involved with social media. It will will be interesting to see if any of the other search engines get involved in the space via partnerships or even letting social media content from places like Twitter or Facebook rank in search results.

Here are some additional resources to better understand Sidewiki from Google:
- General Info
- Video
- Tutorial on “Claiming your Website’s Sidewiki”

Additionally, below are some snapshots of the Visible Technologies site with my comment added to the left in the Sidewiki and a promoted tweet of the entry.

Website with comment on left:

My tweet that was promote via the wiki into Twitter:

Yet another social channel for consumer interaction that marketers need to be aware of. We are investigating the Sidewiki API’s from Google to allow the integration of Sidewiki comments into our truCAST platform. Stay tuned.

Blake Cahill
Visible Technologies