With all this buzz about Google Buzz I’ve happened to spent more than the typical amount of time in my Google Profile.
I hate when that happens.
To me, my Google Profile is not something I care to have around or care to update or anything like that. But, it really does matter to Google (and search results) and I’m sure it’s going to become more of an important means of identification as time progresses.
And thus, I update it, keep it fresh, and “care” about it. [Aside: How much time do you spend on your digital ID in comparison to your spiritual ID?]
I recently found that you could “Verify” your name; here’s how to do it.
All you have to do is login to Knol, Google’s version of Wikipedia for simplicity, and go to Preferences >>> Name Verification >>> Choose Option to Verify.
I choose putting in my Social Security Number (against better judgment perhaps?) and 3 minutes later it was verified.
Wow. How do they have access to that?
I feel so empowered. I feel like I “exist” now. This feels so good. … … … Wait, it’s gone.
Drat.
Thoughts?
Paul Sanduleac says
Someone said ‘Google knows more about you than does your mama’. Might be true.
John Saddington says
yikes. maybe.
Brad Davis Seal says
Verified by Google is US only.
Google Profiles also have Verified domains for verifying email address: Go to ‘Edit Profile”. Look below “About Me”.
You can find out everything Google knows about you here: http://www.google.com/dashboard/
John Saddington says
scary.
Joshua Withers says
US Only, that must be why I can’t do it. Aussie aussie aussie!
John Saddington says
doh!
Joshua Withers says
I honestly can’t find the link under Preferences. Do you need to create a Knol to do it?
John Saddington says
nope. shouldn’t. did you sign up? link accounts?
Justin Wise says
I wasn’t, but I am now! Thanks John . . . . .
John Saddington says
word up.
danielcberman says
Wait a minute, why does Google have a logical reason or need to have your social security number? Second, how does it verify that info against an authoritative source?
John Saddington says
i have NO idea.
PhillipGibb says
alas I am not in the United States; how much does that suck? – for what it might be worth.
John Saddington says
π
darren says
I guess Google feels that the only people worth verifying are those who reside in the US. The rest of us are non-entities…. π
John Saddington says
yup. sorry. π
Kyle Reed says
Yes the United States is superior (at least in google theory) and something about this seems iffy…like it is a trick to get my social security number. Man I do not know about this, but because John Saddington and Justin Wise did it I am going forward. If I lose everything I am coming to live with you John.
Brian Alexander says
I wasn’t so sure abut this at first, but since Justin and John have both done it I went ahead and connected it with my google account. I feel like such a better person now, NOT!! π
John Saddington says
hehe. π
Brian Alexander says
BTW, side note. Why aren’t you using intensedebate?
John Saddington says
because this is far better. in my opinion.
π
i wanted more control of comments, styling, and the data itself.
Brian Alexander says
I can respect that. I mean there still is competition.
Also just noticed a little formatting error. take a look: http://drp.ly/pxOL
Nick LeFors III says
May I ask what commenting system you are currently using?
John Saddington says
the wordpress one.
kennysnow says
Um, neither one of those options is something that I just hand out…but I guess if they are verifying against my SSN that means they already have it anyway?
John Saddington says
i guess…? i’d like to know how they got it though…
Nick Shoemaker says
Ok- so I’m verified. But where was the confetti and balloons? Google, you tease.
John Saddington says
i give you eprops.
Stephen Bateman says
It’s great unless you go by your middle name…does it work then?
John Saddington says
eh. i dunno.
Bobby Shirley says
I got verified and all I got was a lousy badge. Guess it’ll have to do.
Aaron Melton says
My self-esteem is not so low that I feel the need to be “validated” by Google. π
John Saddington says
mine is. π
Andrew says
Add this to the long list of frustrations for those who go by their middle name. Verifying a name no one will recognize doesn’t do me much good. =(
John Saddington says
hehe. word.
Justin Samsel says
So.. I entered my SSN, got a screen prompt telling me, “Good work!..” and then I get an email from Knol saying my name couldn’t be verified. What the what?
John Saddington says
pwned?
Scott Magdalein says
I exist! Thanks Google!
John Saddington says
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,…………
;*)