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Reporting on fraud, review manipulation, misleading information and the work of protecting consumers and honest businesses.
109 articles tagged reviews
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
Credits: The Eater By: Hillary Dixler In a blow to angry Yelpers nationwide, a Virginia court has ruled that one woman’s scathing Yelp reviews of a local contractor were in fact defamation. In a dramatic turn, the contractor who sued her was found guilty of defamation too. The Washington Post reports that the multi-day
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
Credits: Search Engine Land By: Matt McGee It’s been almost a year and a half since Yelp began issuing Consumer Alerts when a business on its site has been caught trying to get fake reviews; but after a cautious start, that program appears to be turning up the heat. According to an interview with CEO […]
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
Credits: Fox4News By: Linda Wagar KANSAS CITY, Mo. –Social review sites started out as a great way to share tips about a hip new clothing store or a hot restaurant. In fact, those reviews have become so important that business owners will got to great lengths, even break the law, to manipulate them. Whether you [&helli
Credits: News.com.au FAKE hotel reviews are becoming more common and travellers should not rely on user-generated content says research released today by CHOICE. "The boom in hotel review sites has given rise to the practice of ‘astroturfing’ or the writing of fake reviews by companies to promote their own accomm
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
Credits: BU Today By: Susan Seligson If you’re combing Yelp reviews to decide where to eat, you’re likely to be misled or even duped, according to Georgios Zervas, coauthor of a recent study concluding that at least 16 percent of the reviews are fake. The researchers found that the worst offenders are restaurants seeki
Credits: Business 2 Community By: Richard Larson In case you haven’t heard, it is the age of customer service. The customer does not have to be right but the customer is king in our new online economy. From the business perspective, customer service can be even more difficult because customers do not see the employees
Credits: Hospitality Magazine By: Danielle Bowling ‘The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is cracking down on fake online reviews, setting up best practice guidelines in consultation with industry and consumer groups. Fake reviews posted by competitors or disgruntled diners on websites includi
Credits: The West Australian By: Rob Broadfield ‘Veteran chef, restaurateur and industry leader Russell Blaikie has urged hospitality businesses to "push back the tide of bile and madness" from internet-based restaurant ratings sites such as Urbanspoon and TripAdvisor. Blaikie, co-owner of multiple award-winning
