Beware of Fake Reviews

I got some awesome feedback on my latest video. Link

It's great because now I've got tons of new ideas for more videos!

I seriously love making them—they make me so happy.

But here's the thing: I gotta work on making them faster.

Right now, I'm not as quick as I used to be with my old video editor.

Don't worry though—I'm confident I'll regain my speed soon and become even faster than before!

I have an article that you'll definitely want to save and share with your friends.

Before booking a reservation, tour, or other trip-related activity, you likely check out a few reviews. While you may have heard that some are fake, you might not realize just how prevalent these fake reviews can be.

There's literally an industry built around fake reviews.

It's surprisingly easy to buy reviews. I did a quick search and found the following:

If you see my social media numbers skyrocket… "It was all natural!" 😆

On a serious note, imagine you're a business owner—reviews can make or break your business. They say that a 1-star increase on Google can boost your revenue by 9%.

So it's not too much of a stretch to believe some people buy fake reviews.

But don't worry—

In this article, I'm going to give you the tools to spot fake reviews so you don't get duped.

Let's dive in!

Don't Be Fooled

• A thumbnail image doesn't guarantee a real person. Scammers often use random images from the web, and with AI technology, some thumbnails might not even be real photos.

• A large number of reviews doesn't ensure authenticity. Scammers may use the same accounts to review multiple businesses. This tactic makes both the fake accounts and reviews seem more legitimate. Scammers might also copy reviews from other platforms to boost credibility.
• Even recommendations or sponsorships from real people can be bought. For example, after my non-sponsored Google Fi video (Link), other companies reached out to me to promote their products. I declined these offers because they didn't align with my values. I was even approached by e-cigarette companies. While I enjoy a good cocktail, I'm extremely health-conscious, so promoting that kind of product didn't sit right with me. But that's just my personal standard. I'm not judging anyone—I get it. Content creation is tough, especially when it's your full-time gig. Just be careful who you trust.

So, what can we do about this?

Well, great question—I've got the answers.

How to Protect Yourself

• Binge social media - Nowadays, everything is on social media. Search for the restaurant, tour, etc. on YouTube and watch with your own eyes. You'll be able to identify a scam much easier this way. If the content looks underwhelming and focuses more on fluff instead of substance, run.

• Pay attention to low-ranked reviews - If multiple people are writing detailed accounts of their bad experiences with specifics, it's an indication that something is really wrong. Pay attention if they're addressing the same themes like lack of service or food quality. This is especially telling if the good reviews lack substance.

• Look for patterns - Some scammers aren't the creative type—think Nigerian Prince scammer types. Their posts are often formulaic. So if all the posts follow similar patterns, it could indicate fake reviews. For example, if all the positive reviews use similar adjectives, describe a dish the same way, and the last line urges you to visit, that's a red flag.

• Look for waves - If the business has a couple of bad reviews followed by a wave of good reviews, and this happens multiple times, the business is likely hiring fake reviewers to bury the bad reviews.

• Check multiple sources - If the reviews on Google are overwhelmingly positive while the same business has horrible reviews on Yelp, there's something fishy going on. A quality establishment will have great reviews across the board.

• Look at the reviewers - If most people reviewing the business have only 1 or 2 reviews in their history, they could be bots. Such businesses warrant further investigation.

• Lacking details - Be suspicious of posts that lack specific details. While busy people might leave generic reviews, consistently vague 5-star reviews should raise red flags. If reviewers can't explain why a place is great, something's up!

• Too polished - Exercise caution when encountering reviews that exhibit an inordinate level of linguistic sophistication or employ an abundance of esoteric terminology. Such compositions frequently manifest as artificially generated content, fabricated through the implementation of advanced artificial intelligence algorithms. The presence of excessively erudite prose or an uncharacteristic proliferation of abstruse vocabulary should engender skepticism regarding the authenticity of the review in question.

Helpful Websites

If you're unsure about the authenticity of reviews, these sites can help:

Fakespot - https://www.fakespot.com/

Reviewmeta - https://reviewmeta.com/

What to Do If You Spot a Fake Review

Found a suspicious review? Report it! You'll be doing everyone a favor by exposing shady businesses. Most platforms have a "report" option right next to each review—use it!

Closing Remarks

Don't sweat it too much, though. As you practice the guidelines we've discussed, you'll develop a sixth sense for spotting the fakes. Trust your gut and keep those eyes peeled when reading reviews and you’ll be alright.

Keep traveling,

Andrew

How good are you at finding fake reviews?

Cocktail of the Week

The Garibaldi cocktail originated in Italy and is named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian revolutionary leader. Legend has it that the cocktail was created in the 1860s to honor Garibaldi's famous red shirts and his military campaigns.

Recipe:

• Fill a glass with ice
• Add 1 ½ oz. Campari
• Top up with fresh orange juice
• Stir gently to mix
• Garnish with an orange slice

Random Travel Thought

I'm not a lone wolf, I’m just not going to wait around for the pack to decide.

Follow me on Instagram.

The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

View Previous Posts