FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews

Post by MomoXenosaga » Thu, Oct 14, 2021, 10:24 AM UTC

makeitdouble wrote: post #80

mkhpalm wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One example I can remember from 10+ years ago was newegg. I don't recall ever really feeling like I got "duped" based on the many online reviews there. I think that sentiment was pretty well revered and not just my personal opinions of it. Everything was pretty well spot on from my experiences. That said, I have no idea how that would fair these days. I'll even go so far as to say back when Amazon was getting started…

It should be pointed out that current fake review issues are not just on fraudulent products. For instance Aukey has been caught by Amazon, but in my experience their products were pretty good, and they probably played the fake review game mainly due to everyone else playing it, and it became an arms race.

Post by eloisius » Thu, Oct 14, 2021, 10:34 AM UTC

spoonjim wrote: post #126

eloisius wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hopefully the hammer will come down on The Amazons, not indicidual sellers on the platform. If Aliexpress wants to be a junk review haven, who cares?

Why would it come down on Amazon? They’re not writing fake reviews. Fake reviews are commissioned by sellers of shitty products. Sometimes to their competitors in false flag operations.

Post by lepouet » Thu, Oct 14, 2021, 10:43 AM UTC

qaq wrote: post #94

makeitdouble wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It should be pointed out that current fake review issues are not just on fraudulent products. For instance Aukey has been caught by Amazon, but in my experience their products were pretty good, and they probably played the fake review game mainly due to everyone else playing it, and it became an arms race.

The cynical take Aukey was taken out because they had good products and good reputation in a high margin category that Amazon wanted for their house brand to play a bigger role in.

Post by sgerenser » Thu, Oct 14, 2021, 10:49 AM UTC

ytpete wrote: post #114

astura wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Consumer Reports was (and still is!) so trusted because it is the one publication that lacks the usual conflicts of interest that every other publication has.

The Wirecutter (now part of NY Times) is another that doesn't accept freebie products, if I recall. They do use affiliate links, so they have incentive to want you to buy _something_, but no incentive to give any particular brand or model a biased review.

Post by playpause » Thu, Oct 14, 2021, 10:55 AM UTC

locallost wrote: post #133

Generally I'd say product reviews are one of those ideas like passwords that work but don't survive introduction to the general public and mass use. The problems of authenticity are obvious, but I've also noticed that people who rely on word of mouth from their friends and colleagues are generally happier. And why wouldn't they be? A colleague tells you this e.g. monitor is perfect for your line of work so you get it…