When we rolled out new Guru algorithm a few weeks ago we got a lot of complains about spam. Because being a Guru is so desirable and because the system encouraged replies, some Glue users got tempted and started leaving comments and replies that were terse, obvious or lacked insight.
We quickly realized that we made a mistake and encouraged quantity over quality. So we took a step back and discussed the situation internally. We also reached out to our Super Gluers (Special thanks goes to Vada Dean).
After a couple of days of discussions we’ve decided to introduce a new system, which would focus on quality of the comments and replies.
The Voting System
The new system is inspired by Yelp and offers 3 simple ways to rate any comment and reply: Agree, Useful and Funny. Each one of these options is equivalent to one vote up. You can only choose one option for any given comment or reply.
We decided to have more options instead of just +1 or Up because they’re fun and allow you to express your emotion about what other users have said. For example, a lot of times, when I read a comment, I want to jump and say - right on, me too! or I totally Agree with you. Some other times, when I don’t know much about a movie and read a really insightful comment, I feel like it is very Useful. And then there are also comments in the system that are really funny (our very own Andy is known for those).
Another reason for this system is that it will allow us to identify users who leave the most insightful and funny comments around the site. We think it will be cool to have special stickers and leaderboard to recognize these users.
The New Guru System
Since we introduced voting, we also changed the existing Guru system. Previously, you could go and leave lots of replies and become a Guru of an object just because you replied a lot. In the new world, your replies have to be high quality and add value, so that other users would vote them up. This system is more fair, because in a way, Gurus are elected by the Glue community for each movie, album or book.
So now, you will be the Guru of the objects where other users find your contribution most valuable.
Since this is a pretty big change, we’re making it incrementally. You will not lose your existing Gurus overnight. Instead you will earn new Gurus and potentially lose some existing ones as people vote on your comments and replies.
So what is the best way to be the Guru of things you love? Go and add quality comments and replies. We have smart and passionate users here on GetGlue.com, and they will surely recognize your knowledge and appreciate your insight. And also, you should do the same - vote up the comments and replies that you enjoyed. Together the GetGlue community will select the most knowledgeable user to be the Guru of every movie, album or book.
Let’s get to it!
Tags: GetGlue | guru
Six new giveaway titles for you this week, including some New York Times bestsellers! As always, titles from last week remain available, and in movies, we’ve got tickets to The Green Zone for you to snag.
Fans of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo will be excited to hear that this is another mystery set in frozen Sweden, starring an impressive female lead. Entertainment Weekly says, “this is hands down the best thriller I’ve read in five years.”
Last year, a story spread like wildfire through the media: a person’s weight, it said, is largely determined by the weight of his or her friends. The story was the work of Nicholoas Christakis, the author of Connected, and is just one aspect of his research into friendship, marriage, and neighbors that explains the unique ways humans influence each other.
This vivid reimagining of Homer’s The Odyssey invents new sections of the classic text, revises others, and bring to the forefront “lost” excerpts. This debut novel by A.I. specialists Zachary Mason was on The New York Times Bestseller extended list last week.
Thomas Peters is the author of several international bestsellers, including A Passion for Excellence and Thriving on Chaos. His latest book is a guidebook at how to excel at the “people side” of business, and its ideas will prove as relevant to a freelancer as to a major CEO.
Medical journalist Randi Hutter Epstein, who has written for The New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Daily Telegraph, focuses her attention on an eye-opening history of childbirth. At times funny and occasionally worrisome, this book is sure to teach you plenty about the culture history of getting pregnant and having a baby.
Twilight and Philosophy: Vampires, Vegetarians, and the Pursuit of Immortality, by Rebecca Housel. The latest entry from Wiley’s …And Philosophy series tackles the philosophical questions between the hit YA series and movie Twilight. Essay include questions about vegetarianism, feminism, and Mormonism.
Tags: books | GetGlue | giveaways | guru
Reports are coming in from all over—users are really enjoying our Guru giveaways! Check out these posts on Ramblings of a Brooklyn Grrl Genius and There’s a Book for their thoughts on the rewards program.
We’re closing out our first month of giveaways this week, with one new title to add to the mix and a reminder that copies are still up for grabs on all of our titles from last week.
Starting on March 1st, we’ll have eight all-new titles for you (including a book just for all of you who can’t wait to see Alice in Wonderland).
Sarah Thornton, a contributor to ArtForum.com and The New Yorker, takes readers through the inner workings of the art world, including the drama of a Christie’s auction and behind-the-scenes of Takashi Murakami’s studios, in an account that is juicy enough for established art followers and informative enough for newcomers to the field.
Tags: books | GetGlue | giveaways | guru
When we rolled out new Guru algorithm a few weeks ago we got a lot of complains about spam. Because being a Guru is so desirable and because the system encouraged replies, some Glue users got tempted and started leaving comments and replies that were terse, obvious or lacked insight.
