Google Tracks Social...Finally...

The news is out: Google Analytics now tracks social media...it's kind of a denouement, given that industry professionals & analysts have been crying out for this for some time. Nonetheless, it's nice to have all the metrics in one dashboard.  What's nice is how GA will:

"...help a publisher measure the value of social media traffic.  The tool focuses on measuring whether visitors that come to a given site actually engage in a specific action — it’s not just about measuring whether people are showing up at the door through social networks."

That, in and of itself -- as Martha Stewart used to say --"Is a good thing."

 ↬ Neil Vidyarthi

The Content Code of Conduct?

While I applaud the efforts of Simon Dumenco, Maria Popova, and their cohorts -- with whom I'd be delighted to throw my lot in -- I fear the bottom-line demands of link-crazed clients and ROI-driven corporations will make this potential movement little more than a SXSW sound bite: full of digerati sound and fury...signifying nothing.

But, it's a brave, noble, beautiful effort, nonetheless.

Oh, and the piece is a nifty bit of craftsmanship from Mr. Carr, as usual.

Key Stats for Social Sites

The infographics link-bait steamroller keeps...er, rolling. This comes to me compliments of the Graphic Design Blog, by way of All Twitter.

Every 60 Seconds, Online...

Another great infographic (otherwise known as compelling link-bait) from the folks at GO-Gulf.com. Note that this is Version 2.

“How Social Media is Ruining Our Minds..."

From Social Times

Taibbi On SEC Cover-Ups

Matt Taibbi discusses the long chain of cover-ups at the SEC...

The Rise of the Content Producer -- Whatever That Means

While I would be the first person to muster up a cheer for all things content branded, I must say this post from Rufus Griscom (picked up and turned into a so-called story by Media Jobs Daily) has left me scratching my head.

So the editor is dead, long live the content producer?

Or there's still hope for the editor?

Regardless, an intriguing post.

Snippet:

Editors have historically had two jobs: finding interesting material, and making it better. Next generation editors, if we still call them editors, will do two things: identify great content creators, and help them package and distribute their content in a way that is mutually beneficial. The relative value of the brands of content creators is ascendant, and publishers need to think more like coaches who are also business partners. 

This leads me back to my previous post about Content Curation.

Six of one, half a dozen of another.