Google: the ultimate mirror

British firm Garlik has unveiled a new way to gauge a person's importance on the internet.

The "QDOS" digital status rating system factors in how many times a name appears in a search, as well as an individual's popularity, impact, and activity, among other criteria.

In its late startup phase, Garlik draws revenue from identity-protection software. It launched QDOS as a way for users "to take ownership of their digital status," according tothe International Herald Tribune.

The new system plays on a new era of transparency, "vanity searches" and "googling" oneself and others, either for personal or professional reasons.

By creating a rating for one's online popularity, QDOS allows users to compare themselves to each other. Celebrity comparisons are reportedly quite popular among early users.

Garlik ultimately hopes to use the tool to guide people into investing in identity protection services.