Web Analysts Code of Ethics …
Following up on last week’s thread about how the web analytics industry is on the cusp of becoming our own worst enemy as the tide of public opinion increasingly turns against online and behavioral analytics I wanted to make good on my offer to help the Web Analytics Association. I fully support the efforts of the Association to create a solid community for web analytics professionals around the world and have long been a contributor to their work, be it turning the Web Analytics Forum (at Yahoo! Groups) over to WAA management, opening the doors for WAA participation in Web Analytics Wednesday, and providing other “behind the scenes” support when asked.
To this end I composed a preliminary “Web Analysts Code of Ethics” that I had planned to work on here in my blog (with you all) and then turn over to the Web Analytics Association. Much to my surprise, according to my partner John Lovett (who is a Board member) the Board of Directors loved the preliminary code and asked to have it publish at the Web Analytics Association blog.
Easy enough, and so I would like to redirect all of you over to the Association blog where I and the WAA both would like to hear what you have to say about this early effort. The comments have already started over there, and of course if you’re more comfortable commenting here then by all means, I welcome that.
As I mentioned a few times in my recent Beyond Web Analytics podcast (not live until early on September 13th), I believe that we need to start advocating on our own behalf and I see this code as one small step in the right direction. Hopefully the WAA Standards Committee, the Board, and all of you out there whether you’re in the Association or not will join me in this effort to help the wider world understand what we all do (and what we do and will not do.)
So go do two things right now:
- Read and comment on my “Web Analysts Code of Ethics” at the WAA Blog
- Listen to my interview with Adam Greco and Rudi Shumpert at Beyond Web Analytics