The internet is a terrifying and wonderful place. We rely on it daily for decision making more than we’re likely to admit. Is this movie worth watching? Check Rotten Tomatoes and Flixster. Is this product any good? Amazon.com reviews. Should I check out this restaurant? Let’s check Urbanspoon!

So with all of this information on the internet, are you really surprised that people are looking for reviews on you?

Let me give some context to where this rant is coming from. Recently Rankmyagent.com has come online, which is a site for rating real estate agents, and it seems to have a lot of agents either frantic, mad, or just overall scared. Unlike many ratemy*blank* type sites, it’s opt in as opposed to opt out. Your clients can’t add you to the site to write something, they can only review people who have signed up. The most common response I’m seeing online from agents is “Who is going to stop people from writing bad things about me?”

First let me say, the site does have a vetting process for the reviews handled by moderators. This post isn’t about how good or bad they might be at doing just that. This is about one solid fact:

You can’t stop people from saying bad things about you on the internet.

How is this still news to people? Have we not heard enough stories of career ending tweets and viral campaigns to know that people can say whatever they want online, and it can impact you and your business? I’m not saying it’s fair, and I’m not saying it’s going to happen to you. I’m saying that choosing to cover your ears and pretending it isn’t there isn’t going to stop it from happening. And if someone is pissed enough at you to write something bad about you, the fact that you aren’t a member of a review site isn’t going to stop them.

So before you condemn the idea of someone writing reviews about you on the internet, I want you to stop and think for a moment. When people Google your name before using you as an agent, what do you want to be on the front page? The site that your clients have been encouraged to talk about their experience with you, or the angry blogger who is pitching to anyone who will listen that you are, in fact, worse than Hitler?

Your call guys.