“So what we find most-actionable is using this data in a directional sense to determine whether a product launch, event, marketing campaign or meme is gaining traction or increasing its velocity in a positive or negative sense.”

The best and most positive (pardon the pun) use for sentiment, in our view, is trend identification, and broad indicators in aggregate. And there’s little doubt that while the machines can help us take a first pass at sentiment, humans ultimately need to make a judgment call as to whether the buzz on the social web is pushing them closer to their business goals.

Thanks for the discussion.

Best,
Amber Naslund
Director of Community, Radian6
@ambercadabra