In an era where 92% of consumers read reviews before buying, that little star rating can make or break a purchase.
According to Backlinko and SocialPilot, reviews are now the most trusted source. From restaurants to retail, hotels to health care, more and more people depend on reviews to help them make their decisions.
But experts say 30% of reviews may be fake.
Knowing all that, how can you spot a legit review?
First, read the words, not just stars; 88% of people trust written words more than stars alone.
Then, look at timing patterns. Many fakes are posted in clusters.
Also, check for review diversity. Extremes, like only five-star rave posts, can signal a fake.
And cross-check platforms. If something gets good reviews on Amazon, check out Google.
Seventy-two percent of people believe fake reviews are now “the norm.”
Experts urge consumers to read reviews critically. Also, it’s helpful to click on the most recent reviews instead of the most relevant.
And one last reality check, experts say 43% of Amazon reviews are fake. In fact, Amazon blocked 275 million fake reviews last year. And that’s not all. Twenty-five percent of Yelp reviews are suspicious, and 10% of Google reviews are potentially fake.
Just remember: When we review the reviews, we shop smarter.