ciscoAuthority Intelligence
02Methodology

Authority Score™

A composite score from 0–100 that measures a leader's ability to consistently create attention, engagement, and influence within their market. The score is transparent, reproducible, and weighted to reward sustained signal over occasional virality.

Master Formula
Authority Score™ =
(40% × Engagement Rate)
+ (30% × Consistency)
+ (20% × Reach)
+ (10% × Amplification)
The Four Components
40%
Engagement Rate

Measures how strongly the audience responds relative to the size of the audience.

Formula
Engagement Quality (EQ) = Likes + (3 × Comments) + (5 × Reposts)
Engagement Rate = EQ ÷ Followers
Why it matters

High engagement relative to audience size indicates strong relevance, trust, and resonance.

30%
Consistency

Measures how consistently a leader contributes to market conversations.

Formula
Consistency Score = Posts Published ÷ 8
(capped at 8 posts per month)
Why it matters

Authority is built through repeated visibility, not occasional viral moments.

20%
Reach

Measures the size of the audience that can potentially see and engage with the content.

Formula
Reach Score = Normalized Log(Followers)
Why it matters

A larger audience increases the ability to shape conversations and influence market perception.

10%
Amplification

Measures how often content is redistributed beyond the creator's direct network.

Formula
Amplification Score = Reposts ÷ Posts
Why it matters

Reposts are the strongest signal that ideas are spreading and influencing a broader audience.

Engagement Quality (EQ)

Not all engagement is equal.

EQ is the weighted core of the Engagement Rate component. We weight each action by the depth of intent it signals — from passive awareness to active redistribution.

EQ = Likes + (3 × Comments) + (5 × Reposts)
Likes
Baseline awareness signal.
Comments
Deeper audience engagement and discussion.
Reposts
Content amplification beyond the creator's network.
Authority Levels
0–20
Invisible Expert

Deep expertise with limited market visibility.

21–40
Contributor

Participates in conversations but has limited influence.

41–60
Emerging Voice

Building recognition and generating meaningful engagement.

61–80
Authority Leader

Consistently influences conversations within their category.

81–100
Category Leader

Recognized market voice with significant reach, engagement, and influence.

Each Cisco Field CTO is classified by their composite Authority Score™.