Generally, lists of “Top x (insert profession here)” are bound to spark controversy – some are purely created as linkbait – so I’m not going to get too riled about NxE’s Fifty Most Influential Bloggers.

It’s not a terrible list.

• I agree with a number of blogger entries on the list.
• I can understand why a number of other bloggers are on the list, based on the “30 second rundown” and “Why He/She Matters” sections

However:

1. It’s horrendously skewed towards technology and US politics
2. It’s skewed towards US bloggers
3. It’s skewed towards male bloggers
4. At least two of the entries are / have been involved in black-hat / dodgy SEO/SEM tactics (I don’t agree with rewarding that)

Let’s take those points in turn:

1. It’s horrendously skewed towards technology and US politics

Unfortunately, it seems that (with the exception of pornography and sex), technology and US politics rule the roost online. At least, they’re the only ones that “are influential beyond the norm” and “are the people to watch and listen to”.

I’m not sure how much specific inspiration a craft, or music, or sports blogger will get from someone talking North American politics.

We need to dig a little deeper and look for the other major audiences, and find inspiration in other niches.

2. It’s skewed towards US bloggers

Granted, the US is way ahead of the curve when it comes to blogging.

There are several notable bloggers from other nations, which is good to see, but perhaps some international bloggers should compile a more world-friendly list.

3. It’s skewed towards male bloggers

Again, many technology geeks are men (though there’s a notable absence of any British female bloggers who’ll give the guys a run for their money).

Perhaps widening the search to other subject areas would have yielded more influential women bloggers.

4. At least two of the entries are / have been involved in black-hat / dodgy SEO/SEM tactics (I don’t agree with rewarding that)

They know who they are, and you probably do as well.

I suppose that doesn’t stop them being influential, though I’d rather not see those encouraged who flagrantly and openly cheat their way up the search engine rankings (at the expense of others, I might add).

Given that “their success stories hold for us a key to and an inspiration for our own success” this is a little perverse.

I also take exception to one of the entries which claims that the blogger “matters most because of a single post he wrote in May 2006″. Not really the mark of a great blogger. One hit wonder, perhaps.

But maybe that’s just me. I wholeheartedly agree with some of the entries. I won’t embarrass them, or the others, by naming them.