Facebook

Google... I'm not happy about this and you are once again infringing on my privacy. I seriously feel the need to erase myself from the web!

This move means that all comments on any publicly visible website could show up in Google search results. Previously, search engines were unable to read comments because Facebook, Disqus and Intense Debate used programming that was not easy to read automatically.

This meant that comments could play any part in a website’s search ranking. Now, however, the web tools that Google uses to trawl the web and index content are able to read comments that have been made using Facebook’s Connect add-in for other websites, as well as other equivalent services.

Some website owners have declined to use add-ons for comments that do not help their search rankings, but as Facebook has become a more popular tool for interaction outside Facebook.com itself, Google has effectively been ignoring a growing part of the web.

The update means links featured in comments will also enhance websites’ standing.
Although comments are not likely to immediately appear high up search results, specific searches for them will bring them up.

Like it or not, social networking is here to stay and is getting further ingrained in your lives. I'm seeing more instances where people are negatively affected by their posts on sites like Facebook. Facebook was one of the safe havens (my opinion) on the internet where we can express our thoughts to our chosen network. Some people use social networks to share random thoughts and others share their deep seeded beliefs. But what happens when your posts reach much farther than your network? 

-

A bank worker was fired for her Facebook post comparing her £7-an-hour wage to Lloyds boss's £4,000-an-hour salary. The new Lloyds chief was set for a £13.5million pay package this year. A bank worker got the sack after she criticised her boss's £4,000-an-hour salary on Facebook. Stephanie Bon, 37, from Colchester, Essex, was working as a £7-an-hour as an HR assistant for Lloyds Banking Group when she heard about her new chief executive's mammoth salary. Miss Bon went on Facebook and posted 'LBG's new CEO gets £4,000 an hour. I get £7. That's fair.' But after her bosses heard about the comment she was marched from the offices and fired. 'That's fair': Lloyds bank worker Stephanie Bon, right, was sacked after she criticised chief executive António Horta-Osório's pay deal on Facebook Last week it was revealed that the taxpayer-owned bank offered António Horta-Osório as much as £13.5million in salary, bonuses and other benefits this year to poach him from Spanish bank Santander.

-

I realize this is not a US company but it's disturbing none the less. I hope the victim sues the company and wins in order to set a precedent against this type of corporate behavior. Heck, If I was a lawyer, I'd do it for free. Has anybody seen or heard of this on US soil?

To friend or not to friend, that is the question

As more people embrace Facebook and other social media websites for business purposes, the already fine line between what's professional and what's personal continues to blur.  It can be difficult to determine which work-related contacts to connect with and what content to share.  Here is some friendly advice:

Let your boss make the first move

According to a recent survey, nearly half of executives polled said they are uncomfortable getting Facebook friend requests from people they manage (well that makes sense).  Regardless of how much rapport you have in the office, your supervisor simply might not want to connect with employees on personal networking sites. Avoid awkwardness by waiting for your boss to reach out to you first.  If you choose to accept the friend request, make sure you don't post anything you wouldn't want him or her to see!

Protect your privacy and your professional image

Familiarize yourself with Facebook's privacy settings.  Facebook seems to change the parameters of your privacy with minimal notice.  At one point, I swore I was invisible to everyone but my friends, then out of the blue, I'm getting friend requests from practical strangers.  Remember: Unless you use this feature, every word or image you post can be seen by all of your Facebook friends. Do you really want coworkers and clients to view your vacation photos?  Adopt a better-safe-than-sorry approach by creating a separate "work" list and limiting the content you make accessible to those contacts.  You can even go a step further and customize your settings to block specific individuals from viewing certain sections of your profile, such as photos of you and your friends. 

Exercise good judgment

This common sense message bears repeating: Don't be your own worst enemy.  If you have a bad day, cool off before clicking.  Badmouthing your boss, a colleague, or a hiring manager through Facebook is a highly risky move that's come back to haunt many professionals. Similarly, if you're currently employed (and you want to remain so), think twice before writing status updates about your search for a newq job.  In addition, avoid becoming a fan of potentially controversial people or products, or taking online quizzes (for which there are no privacy controls) that could be deemed unprofessional. 

Consistently monitor your online reputation

Managing your so-called "digital footprint" requires more than merely monitoring what you post.  Check your Facebook account regularly to keep tabs on the information others are broadcasting about you. You'll want to act quickly if someone makes an inappropriate comment on your Facebook wall ("Steve, are you still working for that boneheaded boss?") or identifies you in an embarrassing photo.  You can easily delete comments posted on your wall and untag yourself from pictures by clicking "Remove Tag" under the image.  You also might contact the person to express your displeasure and politely request that he or she keep your professional reputation in mind in the future.  While Facebook enables savvy professionals and job seekers to build key connections, there are also many pitfalls to sidestep.  By taking the tips highlighted above, you can be sure that Facebook helps, not hinders, your career.