SquidAngel Guidelines
About 10 days ago, a new feature called SquidAngel was instituted on Squidoo. It is a brilliant concept.
Here are my top 5 reasons:
1. It will improve the quality of lens.
2. It will drive more traffic to the lens.
3. It will create renew excitement among lensmasters.
4. It will improve the lensrank by adding a human touch instead of strictly relying on some algorithm.
5. It settles, once and for all, the question of the "importance" of lensrank. If lensrank is unimportant, there would be no need for SquidAngels...
Before I procceed, I will state up front that I am a member of 12 SquidAngels. I only wish there were more SquidAngels.
-Jack Lee (May 11, 2007)
Background...
After about 10 days being a SquidAngel, I think I am finally getting the hang of it. In the process, I have done some simple testing to see the effects on ranking. I've also experimented various ways to rate lens and through trial and error, came up with a set of guidelines. These are my personal opinion and I am only presenting them here for your review and comment.
What is the SquidAngel program?
The SquidAngel program is a set of 12 lensmasters chosen by SquidooHQ to use their critical eyes and give a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to any lens.
This action will have a small effect on the lensranking of any lens either boosting them or reducing them. The degree will depend on where its current ranking is. A lens with lower ranking will experience a larger boost if given the thumbs up compared to one that is high on the ranking. Obviously, a lens already high in rank will experience a smaller boost. In addition, if all 12 Angels agree, a bonus boost or bust is added to that lens.
There exist a handbook for SquidAngels and it contains some very reasonable rules to follow.
This action will have a small effect on the lensranking of any lens either boosting them or reducing them. The degree will depend on where its current ranking is. A lens with lower ranking will experience a larger boost if given the thumbs up compared to one that is high on the ranking. Obviously, a lens already high in rank will experience a smaller boost. In addition, if all 12 Angels agree, a bonus boost or bust is added to that lens.
There exist a handbook for SquidAngels and it contains some very reasonable rules to follow.
My personal view on SquidAngel...
As one of a few lensmasters who has criticized the lensranking of Squidoo in the past, I hope this new program was partly instituted to address the shortcomings of the current lensrank algorithms. By adding the human touch, it is hoped that the overall quality of lenses will improve over time and the scammer lens will be weeded out. My personal view is that the Angel program should be used to put some spotlight on the many great lenses that never get exposure. Therefore, it is a slightly different role than the star rating system. In my mind, it is conceivable to rate a lens 3 or 4 or 5 stars and still receive a "thumbs up" and also to rate a lens with 1 or 2 stars or higher and receive a "thumbs down".
The most important for a SquidAngel is to be honest and have integrity. Our credibility is on the line.
The most important for a SquidAngel is to be honest and have integrity. Our credibility is on the line.
My guidelines on being a SquidAngel
Here are some of what I tried to do when reviewing a lens.
- See what is the current star rating of the lens and current ranking.
- Try to read the whole lens from start to finish. Not necessary read every word but get a feel for what information is being presented.
- Look for completeness and accuracy to the best of my limitted ability.
- I would usually like to be anonymous when I bless a lens. In cases where I think a comment would be helpful, I would include a guestbook blurb. A lensmaster will be able to tell they've been blessed when their ranking get a boost the next day. From my random testing, a lens could get a boost of a few thousand rankings if they are in the middle of the pack.
- When I convey a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down", I would also do the star rating at the same time.
- I would try to spread my blessings across the various categories evenly.
- I would start with the top 100 rank lists, and then move on to the groups that I manage, then to the groups that I belong to and finally to the various categories of lens.
- I would monitor the entries and requests that appear on the SquidU Angels forum. However, I will only bless the lens that deserve it. I will offer encouragements and hints at improving lens as necessary.
Advice to lensmasters...
This is my advice to lensmasters in general.
- Don't beg for blessing for your lens - especially for new members. From my experience, the first few lenses you create will most likely be not very good. Take the time to learn and create at least a few lens first and then pick the best of the lot and submit it on the SquidU forum.
- Don't ask for blessing if your lens is already on the top 100 or have been on the top 100 rank listing. The idea of blessings is to give others a chance at the glory. If some Angel came across a lens that is exceptional, let them give the blessing.
- Learn great lens making techniques from others. There are numerous "how to..." lens to help you.
- Concentrate on delivering "great CONTENT" for your lens. Something that is unique and not found else where on the web will be a winner.
- For brand new members to Squidoo, please read my Squidbook about my experience with Squidoo over my first 6 months. It appear in the link module below. You may learn something and avoid some of "re-inventing" the wheel.
- Think of all lensmasters as your friend. We are after all a co-op community. What benefits one will benefit all and what hurts one will harm all of Squidoo.
Some related links...
- Squidoo Addict
- My Squidbook on my experience with Squidoo - the first 6 months.
- Lens design guidelines
- My suggestions on creating a lens.
- Squidoo feature wishlist...
- Contains some of my criticism of Lensranking.
- How to help Squidoo Succeed?
- My lens on how to help Squidoo succeed.
- My guide on how to rate a lens
- One chapter in my Squidbook.
Reader Feedback
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Reply
- Spook Spook Oct 14, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
- It's always great to get tips from old hands. Squidoo owes something to pioneers such as yourself. If only people could realise this. Blessed by one of the current crop.
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- lollyj lollyj Nov 7, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
- I've been wondering what a SquidAngel is / does. Now I know. I'm no angel but I'll bless your lens anyway. :)
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- chefkeem chefkeem Oct 1, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
- Finally, I can thank you with a blessing for everything I've learned from you, Jack. You're a tremendous asset to Squidoo. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
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- Susan52 Susan52 Sep 12, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
- Jack, you truly are an angel! Thanks again for all your good work on Squidoo. I'm honored to be able to bless this lens!
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- Squidster Squidster Sep 4, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
- Some good advice here for new Angels, will keep this in mind. Thanks!
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