When was the last time you actually looked in the phone book to find someone’s number? For anyone under 40, the Web has already replaced the phone book with people search. But the listings are not always complete or up to date. One of the largest people directories online, WhitePages, is adding consumer-editing capabilities to make its people database more accurate.
You can now edit your entry, and control to some extent the information that is shown on the site. For instance, you can correct and update any addresses or phone numbers associated with your name. WhitePages also lets you hide your contact information and be contacted instead through WhitePages, which acts as a communication proxy on your behalf. (It forwards contact requests via email or text message).
Since the summer, WhitePages has allowed people to add their own listing, but now they can edit existing listings as well. The crowd-sourced approach is a little like JigSaw for sales contacts, except you are not supposed to edit anyone’s contact information but your own. In the future, WhitePages will allow you to add links to your Facebook, LinkedIn and other social network profiles as well.
This sets a good precedent. Companies that traffic in personal data on the Web should always let the people described by the data correct it amend it, or hide it if they choose. In the end, the Web will end up with much richer data, and consumers will feel like they can at least control what information is out there about them.
COOL!
don’t think that’s going to happen! .The application looks pretty cool though, an easy way to do reverse number lookup is always welcome!
Only if they ever came up with an application for Instinct
Nope. I just removed my listing. Why? because they REQUIRE you to post a public email and they REQUIRE you to post a cell phone number. They will link your email to a “email me” link AND THEY LINK THE REQUIRED CELL NUMBER TO A “TEXT ME” LINK. I am not going to invite spammers to text me through the white pages.
This is “editing” under the guise of “collecting more data and being more annoying”. I recommend EVERYONE login and remove their listing.
If someone wants to find me they can contact me through work.
At WhitePages, we require that people editing their listing have a confirmed email (and we’re testing cell phone required as well) to improve overall data quality. Likewise, in order to contact anyone else via email or SMS, a person must join WhitePages and confirm their contact information. We can shut down anyone trying to abuse the service. I’ve been accessible via email & SMS on WhitePages for quite some time without any issues. Thanks for the feedback.
Keela Robison
VP, Products WhitePages
It doesn’t accept a Google Voice number as a cell phone number. So, I won’t be adding any of my info into their directory.
They should be charging for this. The vast majority of people would pay to have inaccurate information cleaned up since whitepages.com is one of the few results for most non-techies who search their name.
I disagree with the logic of deriving revenue from providing inaccurate information.
Adding additional content, yes; Correcting information, no.
Not sure if this will change anything. The data is primarily used by marketers and for reverse look up.
I suspect companies like facebook and google could really shake up the space.
Imagine if you will being able to search you friends and friends of friends facebook numbers.
OR
sharing your up to date google voice contact list.
Agreed. If you add/edit your contacts, be prepared to welcome back telemarketers. Add in your social networks and email? Spammers are going to have a hay-day!
sounds like facebook without a dress. generic facewiki if you ask me.
Erick, great article. You make one point at the end that got me thinking..
“In the end, the Web will end up with much richer data”
Well.. yes, if the information is accurate. If users enter invalid information, where is the editorial control to maintain quality?
My company’s CEO, Gary Halliwell, and I had a discussion this morning upon hearing this news about WhitePages. He’s just blogged his point of view, taking this idea to Wikipedia-
http://blog.net...mons-clean.html
Our approach? Crowd-sourcing contact information only works if there’s verification of the data to ensure accuracy.
Happy to
Erick, great article. You make one point at the end that got me thinking..
“In the end, the Web will end up with much richer data”
Well.. yes, if the information is accurate. If users enter invalid information, where is the editorial control to maintain quality?
Our CEO just blogged his point of view on the matter, taking this idea to Wikipedia-
http://blog.net...mons-clean.html
Our approach? Crowd-sourcing contact information only works if there’s verification of the data to ensure accuracy.
Best,
Katie
I think this is good news for Whitepages and anyone doing a people search.
Directory assistance is fast becoming irrelevant with all of the social networks and people search engines online now.
This is a great way for Whitepages to stay competitive in the people search area and bring “old school” directory assistance listings into the Web 2.0 era.
“..For anyone under 40, the Web has already replaced the phone book …”
Is that a fact? or another sweeping statement?
How do you identify yourself?
I mean, how do they ensure that only YOU edit your contact information?
Somehow, you have to prove that you are the “owner” of your data – otherwise the whole thing would be a joke…
I like the crowd-sourced idea in theory, but agree with others that maintaining accuracy will likely be an issue. Good to see cos. move in this direction though, ultimately I think something will get figured out and the overall data will be improved.