Comments on: SES SJ: White Hat Vs. Black Hat Social Media

By: Lee Odden

Lee Odden — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:01:58 +0000

Mel, I think that's a great idea. In fact, Online Marketing Blog is working on both BtoC and BtoB specific case studies that use social media in the areas of direct marketing, community building, public/blogger relations, SEO and reputation management. Peter Kim has a huge list of social media examples and you can also look at this tag on Delicious for examples of companies using social media.

By: Mel DePaoli

Mel DePaoli — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:55:36 +0000

I think we are getting caught up in technicalities. Yes there are ethical and unethical (white/black) ways of utilizing social media, but nothing is ever etched in stone–especially social media which exists completely virtual. What may be considered unethical by one industry, could be perfectly ethical and expected by another.

Instead of trying to create rules or a “This is how you need to do it” list, why not use case studies to inspire others of new postive ways to make the most of their White Hat Social Media?

By: Grant Criddle

Grant Criddle — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:08:43 +0000

I think that Adam hits on a very important point when he touches on the growing tendency of many social networks to sort of “police” their own members when it comes to spammy or other behavior that is bereft of any value to the group. This is a natural progression – social groups self-monitor themselves all the time and always have. It didn’t start online, it just moved there. Various techniques and tools are now being wielded by some to wring money out of the social networks and communication platforms without actually participating in them. That direction will catch up with them, plain and simple. People wise up pretty fast.

By: frank burns

frank burns — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:44:09 +0000

To keep the playing field level and clear, a group of webmasters could compile a list of ‘White-Hat-Rules’ & ‘Black -Hat-Rules’ that would be posted into every forum and social-media site. From this point in time onwards, if anyone is caught-out using old techniques that are contrary to the ‘New Rules Defining Such’, their web sites and ISP’s would fall under ‘Automatic Black Listing Properties’ that would follow their every move. They could receive no more than ‘Two Warnings’ resulting thereafter of a complete universal ban by all who follow Black Hat Techniques and have some regulatory group of bodies enforce and report these users to their hosts.

By: Strategic Growth Advisors

Strategic Growth Advisors — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:13:47 +0000

I believe establishing a defining line between black hat and white hat is a timely subject.

However, I think that as long as you’re not doing anything that can damage your reputation, as well as keeping a safe, level playing field with the competition, labeling you as “black hat” would be simply ridiculous.

Now there should be a term for people who are like that. “Gray hats,” perhaps?