I wish we *could* have a frank discussion about this in the pr/marketing blogosphere but it has long been apparent to me that we can’t. The well-ranked folks have a natural desire to protect the system. The rest of us quickly evolve into a state of indifference.

You likely won’t like this either, but deserves to be noted. You’re not passing the smell test. First it is “industry standard” and now it is “tongue-in-cheek” … what next?

You write, “We know the list isn’t perfect and never claimed it to be.” Yet, you claim it is the industry standard? Also, on the About page, you write, “The Power 150 is a ranking of the top English-language media and marketing blogs in the world.” Above, in your comment, you make it sound like a weekend hobby … “a fun resource and tool.” Again, what is it … solid metrics or just a happy ol’ good time?

Hey, at least AdAge has a bit of honesty there. “It’s now housed on Ad Age, partly because we thought it’d draw some traffic and links for us…” And you said it wasn’t promotional.

You’re all over the place, Todd.

Seriously, Todd. So far, I’ve only been picking the low hanging fruit when it comes to the failings of the list’s methodology. I’ll stop. This list is just too important to you and the idea of a debate doesn’t sit well with you. No problem.

Take care.

We know the list isn’t perfect and never claimed it to be. The Power 150 is a fun resource and tool for measuring and discovering marketing blogs. There is no such thing as one perfect blog measurement tool, which is why we use a multi-metric approach.

And while my industry standard remark was a bit tongue-in-cheek, I’ve heard from numerous marketing bloggers that they do consider it the standard and use it to as a benchmark. Unfortunately, I haven’t been keeping a list of the bloggers who’ve said it.

Bottom line, I can understand and appreciate your opinions of the list. I’m not saying, nor have I ever said, the list is perfect. Of course it has problems, but we’ve taken steps over the years to work out kinks and reduce some of the issues with it. Hopefully you can appreciate that effort. Even though it isn’t perfect, I and many others still greatly value the list for what it is – a tool for measuring (although not perfectly measuring) and discovering marketing blogs.

Have a good day.

OK, Todd. I have to address the “industry standard” reference. Who calls your list the industry standard, Todd? Seriously. Share the source(s).

Are you claiming that your form of stacking automated counting processes on top of one another to count arbitrarily selected stats on arbitrarily self-selected sites is a standard? That is all your list does. If that is your idea of a standard, then we’re all in deep trouble.

The efficacy is great for simply counting a random set of numbers. But, what does it mean in the end? Nothing more than “I counted this set of numbers. Here are the totals.” Woo Hoo!

It doesn’t truly rank all “…English-language media and marketing blogs in the world..” Please! It isn’t even close. On your list’s About page, “The Power 150 is a ranking of the top English-language media and marketing blogs in the world…” No, Todd. It doesn’t have all of the blogs in the list, so your claim is false.

Methodology, Todd. Believe it or not, it is important. Every blog has to have a chance to be selected / counted in order for you to make such a claim. Self-selection doesn’t cut it. Your claim just isn’t true. Great copy for promotional purposes, but an outright falsehood.

As for truly scanning the entire field of related blogs on marketing, you aren’t even close. You do realize that marketing is being discussed in many other areas besides just business and SEO. Those two areas dominate your 640+ list. Your list does not have depth or broad coverage.

You do realize the problems with your list, don’t you?

If you’re looking for a more formal research paper with a properly formatted methodology section, you won’t find it because it doesn’t exist.

Again, I originally built the Power 150 as a small reference tool and it quickly grew into the industry standard. As such, I’m proud of its success and consider my own blog’s Power 150 ranking an achievement.

Kind of hoped you’d address the questions raised about the methodology, but not really surprised you didn’t. Hope you will give consideration to those questions. They are sincere.

Hey, I pointed students to the list last night, suggesting they use the Google Co-op Search I created from your list’s OPML file. That alone makes it valuable as they can search and find new blogs on specific topics of interest to them. So, thank you.

I don’t have disdain for lists or you, Todd. It is the lack of clear methodology. I feel like I made that very clear.

The reason I noted your pride in the list is, you have a section called “Awards” on your “About” page. The top award is your own ranking on your own list? Self-promotion … in every sense, isn’t it – giving yourself an award from your own list? Just sayin’.

Hey, it is your list and I can understand you being pleased with its success. Congratulations.

I know it may be hard to believe, but the Power 150 was never created for the purpose of self promotion. I won’t argue that personal branding is a nice secondary benefit and I’m definitely proud of the list’s success, but self promotion was certainly not the reason I dedicated hundreds of hours to its creation and maintenance. Again, I know it’s hard to believe, but you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Now, while I’d love to write an equally snarky and sarcastic response, I’ll just suggest that you take a chill pill and watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9BfLMHNhxE

Thanks for taking the time to write so much about me and the Power 150. Let me know when you’re in Chicago next and I’ll let you buy me a drink.

Regards,
Todd

A spirited debate is good for the soul. It’s been far too long since I’ve had one. But I’m starting to think my heart’s not really in this one. In true pragmatist PR guy spirit, I’m arguing for a straw man. Woe is I.