An Edmonton-based company is launching a new website that tracks a person's social influence. The new site called Empire Avenue measures a user's social worth by tracking their activity on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Tina Clinton, also known as Fray Close online, says she's doing what she can to tweak her social media skills.
"My stock keeps going up because I am getting re-tweeted, I am getting replied to -- it is teaching you how to tweak your social media so you are engaging people instead of talking at people," she said.
Tom Ohle with Empire Avenue explains that the more a user interacts online, the more online currency or "Eves" they can collect.
"What we wanted to do was to give everyone a way of measuring how influential they are on social media," said Ohle.
The more Eves a user collects, the more stocks they can buy. Users have the ability to buy stocks in their friends.
"You'll actually be able to use the virtual currency that you gain in the game to exchange that for rewards, discounts on dinner," said Ohle.
Psychologist Dr. Ganz Ferrance says the site's points system could become addictive for some.
"Even though it feels like a good way to connect with people, and it can, it doesn't quite satisfy the need in a deep way, that talking one-on-one or hanging out with friends or family can really do," said Ferrance.
But Clinton believes the site helps to promote interaction between locals.
"I am actually meeting people from Edmonton and I am talking to people from Edmonton," she said.
The site's creators say in the future, top shareholders may be connected with advertisers looking to cash in on their influence.
Empire Avenue officially launches Wednesday.
With files from Sonia Sunger
