SideWiki is a Google project described as “a browser sidebar that lets you contribute and read information alongside any web page.” So, for example, if you’re thrilled with the service you receive at a restaurant, you can overlay your kind words directly onto their site, without having to visit a third-party site like Yelp. But it’s not just for reviews.
SideWiki aims to be a Wiki in the true sense—a user-generated information center. Users can add helpful supplementary information to the SideWiki of a page that attempts to explain a difficult subject (like, say, Schrödinger’s cat), or a link to a coupon that will help shoppers save on the item they’re currently viewing (for more examples, click here). Or something negative that you wouldn’t want site visitors to see. There’s the rub.
Google SideWiki is accessible via Google Toolbar (for Firefox and IE), as an extension (for Chrome) or bookmarklet (Safari and other browsers).
Being as SideWiki is hosted by Google, site owners have neither the option to remove it nor the privilege of regulating its content. They can, however, respond to entries, but this response is not given any privilege or authority because it is from the site owner. This has been a hot topic of debate, but it seems like Google isn’t giving much ground in this regard. Some people are pleased with this lack of control, while, understandably, others are not.
But, as a site owner, there is one thing you can do to lessen the chances your SideWiki will negatively impact you. Claim it.
When you verify that you are the site owner, you will be given access to the top spot on your domain’s SideWiki, where you can post one entry. From there, you can greet visitors and steer the conversation. You can even ask visitors that might have complaints to get them to you in a different way, effectively channeling criticism to a less visible medium (and making those that still choose to vomit all over your SideWiki look like tools).
Here’s what a claimed SideWiki looks like (or you can simply look at the SideWiki for the page you’re on now):
Our claimed SideWiki.
And here’s how to claim yours:
1) Register for Google Webmaster Tools if you haven’t done so (free).
2) Visit your own page, check out its SideWiki.
3) Write an entry. You should see the option, “Create as site owner”.
That’s it. You’re done. You’re prepared as you can be in the event SideWiki gets as popular as 99% of Google’s other projects. It’s not smart to bet against Google.
