1) They do NOT moderate for accuracy of content. If the inaccuracies are reported to them, they respond with “However, we do not remove messages based on complaints of inaccurate, out-of-date, or misleading information. The onus is on the readers to consider the source of the information and follow-up with their own research – on our site or elsewhere – before making their travel plans”.

2) They do not effectively instill a sense of community on the boards.

3) They routinely appoint “experts” who are not knowledgeable, but just happen to post frequently.

Should someone pick up where Tripadvisor leaves off, then they really WILL have something.

Since TripAdvisor is already known as dominating organic SERPs, the merger of all these other properties will only consolidate that position.

How do you think other travel (like Travelocity, Orbitz etc) will respond in SEO? Build their own community sites? Focus on SEOing niche mini-websites for particular promotions?

Since the travel industry is such a competitive space (even in SEO), I’m curious on what you think?

Thanks!

Daniel

“In most online communities, 90% of users are lurkers who never contribute, 9% of users contribute a little, and 1% of users account for almost all the action.”

See: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/participation_inequality.html