Buyers (and Sellers) Beware: Consumer Reviews Are Often Contrived

Fake designer merchandise can be easily spotted by even the untrained eye. The authenticity of online reviews of companies’ products, services and operations is more difficult to discern.

In recent blog posts, we have examined timely digital marketing issues and recommended “dos and don’ts” on the topics of protecting your company from online security threats and understanding the ramifications of image copyright infringement.

As we are all consumers and the majority of us purveyors, we examined fake reviews’ prevalence and impact. How many consumers are swayed by either positive or negative consumer reviews?