On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a ringer

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6 commentsThursday, March 5, 2009

Yelp Controversy Highlights Trouble With Consumer Reviews

On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a ringer

5 Comments

By find perfect gift (WPN reader) - Mon, 05/11/2009 - 11:21

Improve customer confidence in buying online

It's no secret that customer reviews help improve customer confidence in buying online. However online gift retailers, like Boudoirbabe.co.uk realise customer review forms can also reduce returns and drive targeted traffic from greater keyword visibility and organic SEO.

By Mike Adamowicz (WPN reader) - Mon, 03/09/2009 - 02:31

sample size

One problem with the reviews is that you get only a small percentage of the people who have used the service or product. And then the reviewers have to be quite motivated to take the time to write the review. The reviews then are likely to be skewed in favor of people who had a really good experience or a really bad one.

By Daniel (WPN reader) - Sun, 03/08/2009 - 13:10

Reviews maybe faked?

Its hard to say if the reviews are faked and im sure there is an element of reviews posted by rivals of the business.

We at wwww.streetslocal.co.uk monitor our reviews and ensure that reviews remain genuine and safe.

By William B. (WPN reader) - Fri, 03/06/2009 - 14:24

Yelp is riddles with fake

Yelp is riddles with fake reviews. Also Yelp employes many of the most prolific reviewers, they are called "community managers" and "scouts." They also curry favor with free food and drinks to so-called "Elite" reviewer who inturn write usually positive reviews about establishments Yelp targets for sponsorship.

The site demographic is 20 to 30 age group and the reviews are not of the higher end, fine dining establishments. So if you want reveiws of Subway, Starbucks or the local tattoo parlor, it's OK. But for serious food critics, stick to the professional food critics.

By Kyle (WPN reader) - Fri, 03/06/2009 - 01:53

You Never Know

That's right...you never know whether to trust these reviews or not. Last summer I took my family on vacation and decided on a hotel based on customer reviews. Fortunately, it turned out good. But, I was very nervous until we arrived because I didn't fully trust the reviews.