The Truth About Twitterank
By Ryan Hupfer
What Is Twitterank?
Twitterank is a website that was built by Ryo Chijiiwa as a way for Twitter users to create a ranking for their overall Twitter usage. Ryo used the Twitter API to create a connection to Twitter via the site, which resulted in literally thousands of Twitter users giving up their username/password information without really knowing why.
Apparently, the site creates a rank with no rhyme or reason and spits out a number that is then selected as your official Twitterank, which has led the Twitter community to become even more curious about what exactly the number means and what it's actually made up of. This has created a viral effect that has torn through the Twitterverse and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Is Twitterank A Scam?
Some people, such as the Mashable blog, are now claiming that Twitterank is a scam and is simply a site that was built for stealing the passwords from the users of Twitter. Ryo claims that it's not a scam, but that hasn't stopped everyone on Twitter from freaking out and claiming that they have been digitally duped.
Check out the Twitterank blog for more info as this story progresses.
The Vanity of Twitter Uncovered
I think that the real point that Ryo is trying to make is that if there is any way for the web world to show how much better we are than you, even if it is some made-up Twitterank, we're going to do it. Even if it takes us being duped into handing over our username, password and who knows what else.
Even if this isn't a scam, it should definitely be an indicator of the 'Hey, hey look at me!' attention economy that the web has become. I'm not saying that it's good or bad(I'm definitely a part of it), but I'm just calling it like it really is.
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below and tell me how awesome I am. Hell, even feel free to give me a ranking(as long as it's a high one).
Comments
It's not, that's thh point and why it's so funny that so many people have done it.
Hey, hey! Look at me!
I'm glad I never fell for Twitterank. I've fallen for just about everything else (analytics for my blog, stars from strangers, etc.) just to make me feel good about the job I'm doing. I have a gigantic 64 followers on Twitter, so I wouldn't be at the top of any Twitter heap anyway. Great hub -- I enjoyed reading it.
Now that's citizen journalism. What one person calls a scam, I call performance art. Unfortunately, the judge was the one person.
Interesting hub. I never fall for those things.
Thanks for sharing this info :)
Thumbs up!
I don't twitter (much) but if I did, I'd probably try Twitterank!
Thanks for letting us know about it!
ProCW
This is one of those useful bits of information which you never know you'll need, until you do! Thanks Ryan, I may even twitter this :-)
Had no idea there was a twitter rank. Just signed up for it last week via a friend. I don't think she knows either. Hmm. Great look at me cartoon by the way. So perfect, but I suppose you already knew that. Thanks for the info.
very nice collection
Well, I saw a tweet on twitterank but did not bother to check mine as i did not think i would be anywhere near the top with only 1350 followers, lol. Thanks for the Information.
Also all the Best for the HubChallenge Ryan! It is already May 11 in my part of the world and i have already published 2 hubs.
rethansmith 3 years ago
I didn't bother finding mine. I just don't see how it is relevant or meaningful to anything.