Online reviews can make or break a business.Whether these reviews are for local businesses, chain-stores, or online shops, 88% of consumers say that they trust online reviews.This opens the door for fake reviews that can affect a product's ratings or public opinion.You can expose fake reviews by analyzing a review's language, looking for trustworthy reviews, and checking the credibility of the reviewer.
Step 1: There will be marketing speak.
Marketing teams often create fake reviews to boost ratings and sales.A typical consumer wouldn't think of fake reviews as jargon.Don't read a review that is written on the back of the box.This can include things like "one-of-a-kind," "unique," or "award-winning," as well as the "brand approved" version of the product name.
Step 2: The product name can be used too much.
Some marketers will make reviews to improve their rankings.Multiple instances of the full product name will be included in fake reviews.No average consumer would speak like that.A review might say, "This was the best one I could find!"The product arrived quickly and worked well.
Step 3: Beware of the extremes.
Some reviews are created by a competitor.It is possible that reviews that are glowing can be linked to a marketer.Most people will find good and bad things in any product.Reviews that go to either extreme should be scrutinized.Most people don't think of a product as the worst or the best.Don't use words like "horrible," "worst," or "awful."
Step 4: Take the number of reviews into account.
Try to establish the credibility of the reviewer.There is a reviewer's profile.Is this the first review they have ever posted?Did they just create the account on the day of the review?There are signs that the account is not real.
Step 5: Look for similar reviews and posting dates.
There is a reviewer's profile.Is there any other product that sounds exactly like this one?This reviewer is likely being paid to post reviews if they have posted 3 or more reviews for different products within a couple days of each other.
Step 6: The reviewer who loves everything should be wary.
There are posts and ratings of the reviewer.They are probably being paid for these posts if they seem to love everything they review, or only give out 5-star ratings.A reviewer who loves every product they rate should not be trusted.
Step 7: Take a look at the usernames.
An automated bot probably uses a usernames with three or more numbers at the end.You will not be able to trust reviews with usernames like this if you see multiple reviews for the same product.
Step 8: The copy and paste test is used.
Whenever a review rubs you the wrong way, highlight a key sentence, and paste it into your search engine.If you see this exact sentence popping up on a number of other review sites, this can be a sign that the review is fake.
Step 9: There are coupon-codes and product links.
Don't include any kind of link to purchase a product or coupon code if you are a reviewer.Links and codes that promote a different product to purchase instead of the one they are reviewing are red flags.
Step 10: Shoot for the center.
Reviews with a 1-star or 5-star rating are more likely to be faked.If you read mostly 2-4 star reviews, you will get more genuine reviews.