If a review reads like a short story, there’s a good chance it is one. False reviews create scenes as opposed to using more specific words. If a reviewer uses “I” or “me” frequently throughout the review, there’s a chance it isn’t legitimate. You can spot a fake profile based on the name and photo. Generally, the names are more general, like Smith or even a combination of only letters and numbers. If you see a cluster of positive reviews, check the time frame. They are probably fake if they were posted in the same time frame. Overseas content farms create fake online reviews; this means that English isn’t always their first language, and there are a few misspellings or grammar errors. If their only reviews are praise for one particular place or product, or complaints about a particular place or product, they’re likely untrue.
Key Takeaways:
- There are many different reasons why people post fake reviews on things.
- The ability to use a username and an alias is one of the reasons fake reviews happen.
- Most platforms online allow users to make up any name they can think of.
“website is not likely to play ‘referee’ on any review which claims to reflect an actual marketplace interaction because of the robust legal protections afforded to them under Section 230.”