In our hype-happy, what-to-believe Information Nation, more and more it comes down to one very basic, very essential thing -- credibility. The Good House Keeping seal of the past is not the credibility barometer of the present and future. So, then, what are the new barometers of cred?

For many, it's blogs and other social networking sites that foster and disseminate open discussion and untainted perspectives on everything. That open source context has given way to the term "Street Cred" as a barometer of credibility. With the proliferation of this Internet/truth formula, I'd like to suggest another barometer: G-Cred.

If you haven't guessed, the "G" is for Google which has attained such universal acceptance that, "to Google" is part of our cultural lexicon. Checking out a new vacation spot? Google it. Looking for Cuban cigars? Google it. Need nude photos of Paris Hilton? Google it.

From a business perspective, Google is a Godsend. If you're checking out a product, company, or person, Google is both informational resource and worldwide publicist. And, with that, Google has become a strong barometer of credibility.

As the Online Evolution zooms forward at the speed of bandwidth, online visibility will equate to professional credibility. It does now. If you're doing due diligence on someone and nothing comes up when you Google them, that doesn't score credibility points. The relevance of this is not limited to those creating scholarly works or running Fortune 500 companies. Many marketing gurus, such as Tom Peters and Seth Godin, have long preached the value of creating and building one's personal brand regardless of who you are. Godin's Purple Cow discusses the importance of standing out and "being remarkable." And, ten years ago Peters' The Brand You, told how survival is not about blending in, but rather, standing out.