" Buying" Yelp Reviews, Is It Ethical?

[fureverywhere]

Something I haven't seen before. At the dentist were printed flyers..." Review Us on Yelp and get $25 off your next visit". I dunno, I feel Yelp is for the most part unbiased. But I don't know about kinda begging people to add a review. I'm mean I'll give him four stars and an excellent review for being pain free. Minus one star for being pricey.

 

[BlondieBoomer]

I wonder if you reviewed and gave him 2 stars, if you still would get the $25?

 

[BlunderWoman]

No, but they can already purchase people to make their businesses look good with good reviews. Nothing anyone can do about it.

 

[RadishRose]

Well, it didn't ask for a good review, just for a review. It seems the dentist is confident there will be more good reviews than bad and that could be a good sign. Let us know if you get the money.

 

[BlondieBoomer]

No, but they can already purchase people to make their businesses look good with good reviews. Nothing anyone can do about it.

Actually, I think that would be against FTC rules if the reviewer didn't disclose in their review that it was a paid endorsement. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pre...al-guides-governing-endorsements-testimonials

 

[BlunderWoman]

Actually, I think that would be against FTC rules if the reviewer didn't disclose in their review that it was a paid endorsement. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pre...al-guides-governing-endorsements-testimonials

It's done all the time.

 

[Grumpy Ol' Man]

I write a lot of reviews... mostly positive. I'm a "Gold Level" reviewer on 'Trip Advisor'. Have reviewed many hotels and restaurants on there. Most have been good reviews... a few bad reviews. We recently had a painter do some work for us and were greatly impressed by his professionalism. So, I went on his Facebook page and raved about his work. He e-mailed and asked if I would review his company on Google and Yelp. I did. My audiologist also asked if I would give her practice a review on Yelp after I had complimented them on Facebook. I have yet to receive anything for a review.

Before booking a hotel or eating in a new restaurant, I usually look for reviews. Some are obvious that the person is a chronic complainer. Others seem as if they are posted by employees of the business. I try to sort through and find reviews I feel are legitimate to make a decision as to whether or not to eat/stay at the location.

 

[bluebreezes]

It's also prohibited by Yelp's policies: https://www.yelp-support.com/articl...-pay-people-to-write-positive-reviews?l=en_US and they ask to report the business soliciting the reviews for money.

 

[BlondieBoomer]

Amazon has had a big problem with paid reviews and has banned a lot of offenders and has taken away their reviewing privileges. They've also sued a few of them. There can be big fines from the FTC if they decide to go after you.

 

[Ruthanne]

I've seen reviews but not on Yelp. I've seen them on Amazon and all of them say that they were paid to give a review.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Since Yelp makes its profits from advertising, there have always been allegations that bad reviews somehow get lost when businesses buy advertising. Again I stress the word "allegations". And its naive to believe all those glowing reviews aren't from the owner's brother, Gomez, Aunt Morticia, Uncle Fester, and Cousin It, etc. I'm sure an owner would never use another email address to give himself great reviews.

 

[fureverywhere]

I would way question a review with five people sparkling a place to pieces. But if there are fifty reviews and some having minor issues that seems more legit. Like I said this dentist worked for me. A healthy dose of Valium and Nitrous for someone who can go into a panic attack with cleanings. I really love you mahhn.