THE BUSINESS OF INTERNET REVIEWS

A skewed reading

Synopsis

Nowadays, to choose a restaurant, a washer, or a phone, almost everyone read online consumer reviews before deciding.

However, studies show that one out of two reviews is a fake. They are written by ill-intentioned competitors or sometimes bought from companies whose business is to sell positive reviews. Some even offer to make fake profiles to boost an activity or launch a new product.

Who’s behind this often illegal new business? How much do these precious comments cost?