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My default for those kinds of queries now is “<item> reddit”. Google results are generally poor otherwise. I’m not sure if this is because their algorithms are
by fossuser 7y ago
My default for those kinds of queries now is “<item> reddit”. Google results are generally poor otherwise. I’m not sure if this is because their algorithms are gamed or if it’s just because the internet outside of the main website hubs is just generally low quality (most high quality content has moved to hubs like reddit).
- clarkmoody 7y agoI've found that highly-developed wikis on certain subreddits feel more genuine and trustworthy than anything else out there.
- mc32 7y agoIt’s s sad state of affairs for product search. I do the same (site:reddit) and I’m almost certain most people do too. Google search I guess is good for entertainment search or “buzzy” things like whatever is trending on the trendsetting social networks of the day, but regular search is too spammy and farmed stuff. Often it’s junk.
- lotsofpulp 7y agoI don’t think most people do, because if they did, Reddit would also be gamed.
- dceddia 7y agoNot saying it is, but, how would you know it isn't? I imagine that either "they" (the advertisers/companies) have either already figured this out and are learning how to leave grassroots-looking comments, or they will pretty soon.
- lotsofpulp 7y agoI don’t know for sure, and I bet some of it is gamed (all the popular AMA type and celebrity worship or marketing crap sure is), but I think I’ve been able to glean some real comments in the niche sections, based on the history of people giving recommendations or multiple threads over the years with similar conclusions.
- MiroF 7y agoI think it's more the bot upvoting comments that happen to be favorable to your product than actually leaving fake comments.
- okusername 7y agoReddit is definitely being gamed, started 1-2 years ago. And it's a lot harder / impossible to identify fake recommendations, so I'm very suspicious of it.
- MiroF 7y agoReddit is certainly gamed. Not on everything, not as widespread as SEO, but I've definitely seen it before.
- porknubbins 7y agoI do this for almost everything not just products. Reddit is a useful place to find real humans discussing something on the internet, but also at a simple beginner friendly level. Usually there are more specialized forums (esp for something like espresso) but they require excessive time or expertise to understand. On the other hand if you want a deep discussion reddit can be hit or miss.
- mc32 7y agoTrue there are niche blogs for enthusiast hobbyist interests, but sometimes I need to find a good <some household item>. Reddit’s got better info than most non-reddit google results.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- baroffoos 7y agoReddit reviews are generally a pretty good source to find out what the flaws of a product are. I like to work out what the most common ways the product fails and how possible it is to fix them. I made the mistake of buying a pair of skullcandy headphones and after a month the plastic cracked and then I checked reddit and saw pretty much everyone who has this pair has had the same bit of plastic crack.
- holoduke 7y agoI think forums in general (not only reddit) are the best sources to find realistic info about almost any subject. Holiday resorts, cars, electronics, movies, education and more. You get a lot of subjective opinions, just like here. But all together they form a much better overview than most text or video reviews
- AstralStorm 7y agoThe problem is they do not work for items that are niche. If you find anything, the chances are the review is not in depth or way too subjective and potentially from a person without experience in comparing like products. Getting a list of hard faults is useful though not exhaustive. There's the other extreme, relying too much on direct measurements, which can happen at highest end when we don't know which measurements are relevant in what way. (Examples would be mostly luxury - audio equipment, cars, yachts.) A specialist may be required to make sense of these and they are not easily vetted or found.
- MiroF 7y agoi guess i was naive in thinking i was the only one!
- shpx 7y agoIt's just a matter of time until the "marketers" catch on. Maybe they already know and just haven't found a way to prove the business case because there's no easy way to measure how much some locked Reddit thread from a few years ago influences buying decisions. I'm curious to see what kind of innuendo they invent for "astroturfing Reddit reviews".
- jmccorm 7y agoI believe we're already past that point. Search for the term "reputation management". Some companies ARE willing to pay money to rebut a negative viewpoint with a human voice, and Reddit is by no means immune to this. I don't think the question should be "if" it is happening, but how far some companies go (behind-the-scenes) to use human voices not only defend but advance their position.
- chrisdhoover 7y agoOn reddit today someone asked how much karma is worth or something to that effect. It could be worth a great deal to a marketer. Someone with an early sign up date and lots of karma could easily sell them selves to a marketer. I sense reddit is full of sock puppets and sell outs. How can it not be?
- TacticalTable 7y agoThey've definitely caught on. Depending on the community, lots of bots are appearing to shill for specific brands, some better than others. Example: /r/malelivingspace has a big interest in Eames Lounge Chairs, and every time they get mentioned, a few new accounts pop up like clockwork to say how much they love their specific brand censored replica lounger. A ton of other random sites get these astroturf responses too, if they talk about it. The worst part is that if they were a bit more skilled about it, it would be indistinguishable from an actual recommendation. Give it another few years.
- codingslave 7y agoYeah I do this on almost every search
- shostack 7y agoThis. There's some really knowledgeable people over in /r/coffee that set me straight when picking out my espresso machine and grinder.
- t34543 7y agoI also search for <item> sucks as part of my due diligence.