New websites used to combat rumours

11/09/2008

A growing number of businesses are employing web design professionals to create sites that tackle rumours and speculation about them on the internet, according to Brand Republic.

The news source states that General Motors has become the latest company to do so with the recent launch of a website that counters popular myths about the firm with its own responses.

Other organisations that have done this include Innocent Drinks and McDonald's, while the practice has also been recently highlighted in the world press through the launch of a similar website by US presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Nate Elliott of JupiterResearch said: "Things consumers are saying to each other and post are not always accurate.

"It's in the company's interest to post their side of the message."

Online reputation monitoring is set to become more popular in the UK, with the market for related services predicted to be worth about £60 million by the end of 2008, E-consultancy predicted recently.