Are You Cool Enough to Get Service? Klout Score Leads to Classism

Hold up. Stop in your tracks. Did you hear that the Las Vegas Palms Hotel is now checking your Klout score as you check in for a room?

Let me say that again.

Retailers are now referencing your Twitter ranking before deciding what level of service you get. Wow. I don’t know whether to be upset or fascinated. I think it’s a little of both.

I had a friend ask me recently if I put any stock in Klout. I said that I didn’t pay it much mind because the number seemed a little arbitrary. If I go to one reputation site and I’m awesome but on another I don’t even register on the map, which do I believe? I might have to amend my opinion on this one. What was missing for me was real world application. Here’s real world if I’ve ever seen one. Now you can expect to get checked by Starbucks, CoverGirl, Dannon Yogurt, Virgin America and Fox.

This reminds me of Google and Verizon’s idea of “differentiated online service”. Different people get different experiences. Klout scores lead to classism on the internet. Or is it brilliant marketing? How do you feel about it?

**I also can’t help but mention that my Klout score is different on Hootsuite than on Klout.com. Strange but I want full credit!