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Reporting on fraud, review manipulation, misleading information and the work of protecting consumers and honest businesses.

42 articles tagged online-reviews

TripAdvisor’s China website comes under fire

TripAdvisor’s China website comes under fire

Credits: The Telegraph By: Jolyon Attwooll New research has highlighted thousands of suspect reviews on the Chinese domain of TripAdvisor The authenticity of TripAdvisor reviews is under the spotlight again after new research revealed thousands of suspect postings on the Chinese version of the website. The study, carri

Bogus online reviews – what to watch out for

Bogus online reviews – what to watch out for

Credits: Herald Sun Business By: John Rolfe State fair trading authorities and ACCC investigating bogus reviews on internet AT least 10 businesses have been sprung posting bogus reviews on the internet to dupe would-be customers. Those suspected of feathering their own online nest include a major funeral company, a hig

Fake online reviews the focus of new ACCC guide

Fake online reviews the focus of new ACCC guide

Credits: Hospitality Magazine By: Brea Carter In a bid to tackle issues surrounding fake online reviews, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a best practice guide for businesses and review platforms such as UrbanSpoon. Online reviews: a guide for business and review platforms touches

How do you handle bad online reviews?

How do you handle bad online reviews?

Credits: CNN Money By: Jennifer Alseve It’s not uncommon to receive a few negative reviews, but what’s the best way to handle it? Here’s what you don’t want to do: Call online reviewers punks, trash or other expletives on your company Facebook page like the owners of Amy’s Baking Company did last spring. Their outrageo

Businesses hurt by fake online reviews

Credits: Trib Live By: The Los Angeles Times ‘Consumers often turn to the Internet to research a product before buying. Fake reviews are always a concern, and the problem may be bigger than previously thought. There have long been reports and rumors of businesses posting negative reviews of their competitors’ pro

Why It’s Harder to Game Positive Online Reviews

Why It’s Harder to Game Positive Online Reviews

Credits: CNBC By: Heesun Wee ‘Gaming positive reviews online is getting harder. The website Yelp which connects local businesses with user-contributed reviews on everything from restaurants to local dentists — recently launched a new "Consumer Alert" system that clamps down on fraudulent reviews.’ ‘But with

Can public shaming put an end to fake travel reviews?

Credits: The Australian By Kate Schneider ‘Yelp putting on detective hat in bid to find fake reviews is placing a warning sign on the listings of those caught. Claims to have already busted nine companies TIRED of companies trying to trick travellers with fake reviews, Yelp is now publicly shaming those it claims

BBC Radio 4 You&Yours featuring KwikChex

BBC Radio 4 You&Yours featuring KwikChex

Trip Advisor Sacking The staff sacked following uncomplimentary reviews on Trip Advisor. Featuring Chris Emmins from KwikChex. Click here to listen (Duration:6 minutes)

As Fake Reviews Rise, Yelp, Others Crack Down on Fraudsters

Credits: Ad Age By: Michael Learmonth ‘Online reviews can make or break a local business, which is why the incentive to cheat with paid-for, malicious or fraudulent reviews is so great. Weeding out fraud is an inexact science; sites such as TripAdvisor, Google+ Local and Yelp use a mix of algorithms and human mod

Lancashire firms hit by bad reviews

Credits: Technology Spectator By: David Glance ‘LANCASHIRE businesses are losing out on new sales due to fake or unjust reviews, according to a top marketing consultant. Internet review experts Got Juice say the problem affecting Lancashire could be tackled if reviews were required to be authenticated.’ Above exc

The economics of fake reviews

Credits: Technology Spectator By: David Glance ‘The American social scientist Donald Campbell observed that as soon as you try to apply and use indicators for social decision-making, the pressure to corrupt the measure increases and it then distorts the process it is measuring. The measure eventually becomes mean