Klout, a three-year-old startup company, aims to measure users' online influence on a scale from 1-100. Using algorithms to sift through social media data—including, but not limited to, an individual's number of followers, frequency of updates, likes on a post, retweets, shares, etc—Klout effectively assigns you a score.
Do you have a Twitter account? If yes, then you have a Klout score—unless you've opted out via Klout's website. By linking your Klout profile to your Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google+, and Foursquare accounts, etc, you're able to supplement your score.
For some, a high Klout score is the holy grail. Others could give two shits. The bottom line is this: Klout is becoming increasingly important in the world of social media. Your score is an indicator of your overall reach and how others trust your opinions online.
In an article on Wired.com, Klout’s VP of platform, Matt Thomson, predicts that "people with formidable Klout will board planes earlier, get free access to VIP airport lounges, stay in better hotel rooms, and receive deep discounts from retail stores and flash-sale outlets."
This week, we decided to see how professional freeskiers rank in the greater scheme. To give you an idea of where these skiers rank, Justin Bieber is the sole owner of a score of 100. From there, most A-list celebrities fall in the 80s and 90s. Scores in the 60s and 70s are considered very high. Your average social media user, on the other hand, scores around 20*. Without further ado, here's a list of freeskiing professionals with the most Klout.
Did we forget someone? Let us know in the comments section below. Klout scores are constantly in a state of flux—the scores above were recorded on Thursday, May 3, 2012.
Twitter users, want to check your Klout score? https://Klout.com/EnterTwitterHandleHere
* Average score as reported by ABC.
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