Could online reputation management be next? Is there a connection between GameStop and online reputation management? I’m not sure, but there could be. First, let’s briefly review GameStop. Much has been made of the meteoric rise of its stock. This was led by individuals who collectively jumped on social media platforms such as Reddit and recommended buying at one time. This made a big difference, and the stock exploded. Some see this as a pure “dumb money” move that hurts everyone; others see it as a “stick it to the Man” comeuppance whose goal is to point out inequality. I’m not here to offer an opinion, except to say it could be the start of a different kind of populist movement if it continues. Beyond GameStock, other examples include AMC, BlackBerry–in other words, firms that are on a downward slide if left to the marketplace. But to come back to online reputation management. Could there be a similar online gathering to push–or destroy–the reputation of a person, business or institution en masse? A group could band together to write online reviews, post false articles or Tweet damaging comments. Unlike a stock which can reverse itself quickly, an online reputation might not ever recover. It seems to me that we’re not quite at that point, but if there is a pent up anger directed towards platforms deemed as unfair gatekeepers, online reputations could be an upcoming target.
