4 ms·

Most fake reviews come from India and the buyers are using non-US payment systems. I don’t know how this would impact the existing market.

silisili 3y ago
On Amazon at least, they aren't. There are giant networks of companies seeking out American reviewers, basically giving free products in exchange for reviews. I was invited to one after leaving a good review on some product I'd bought, and did some digging. From what I can tell, Chinese companies hire companies in India and Bangladesh to boost reviews. They then act like middlemen, seeking out pay for play reviewers in other countries. It's funny because they pretend to be Chinese women in their profiles. After chatting one lady 'Eve' up, basically saying I knew they weren't Chinese by the way they wrote English, he admitted to being a young man from Bangladesh, though I forgot his name. I thanked him for his honesty. I was sent a spreadsheet of multiple items to choose from. Clicked on a few, and saw a couple 'Top 10 Reviewer' labeled folks making reviews on these unheard of products. So the 'all stars' of Amazon are all in on it. All this is separate from the multitude of companies who put little cards in their packaging offering a rebate for a good review. Garbage all the way down...
- tough 3y ago
  Where does one start working as a paid reviewer anyways?
  - refulgentis 3y ago
    > On Amazon....There are giant networks of companies seeking out American reviewers...I was invited to one after leaving a good review on some product I'd bought > From what I can tell, Chinese companies hire companies in India and Bangladesh to boost reviews. They then act like middlemen, seeking out pay for play reviewers in other countries.
  - geraldwhen 3y ago
    Sites like mturk. Some of the work seems legit, but it’s all manipulation of organic web traffic. I made a lot of money in fake reviews in a past life.
- geraldwhen 3y ago
  US reviewers often get paid a premium on amazon/iTunes/Apple Store, but the bulk buys are still India. It’s quite easy to spot fake reviews by anyone, since they’re formulaic. I.e the review must mention <person name> or <product name> exactly as written and be at least 50 characters long. So you get 2-3 sentences that look like this: “Product is a huge game changer for me and my family. I’ve tried some other stuff, but honestly it didn’t work as well. I’d recommend Product for anyone who has Reason.”
gigglesupstairs 3y ago
This is so non-specific. Which website(s) are you talking about?
- geraldwhen 3y ago
  Piecework sites. I’ve made thousands of dollars in fake reviews. I made $100 in an hour one time while watching shows on Netflix with my wife. I’ve tried boosting posts on Reddit, but the cost seems high for what you get. I’m no longer selling anything myself though. I’ve been out of this world for years.

silisili 3y ago

On Amazon at least, they aren't. There are giant networks of companies seeking out American reviewers, basically giving free products in exchange for reviews. I was invited to one after leaving a good review on some product I'd bought, and did some digging. From what I can tell, Chinese companies hire companies in India and Bangladesh to boost reviews. They then act like middlemen, seeking out pay for play reviewers in other countries. It's funny because they pretend to be Chinese women in their profiles. After chatting one lady 'Eve' up, basically saying I knew they weren't Chinese by the way they wrote English, he admitted to being a young man from Bangladesh, though I forgot his name. I thanked him for his honesty. I was sent a spreadsheet of multiple items to choose from. Clicked on a few, and saw a couple 'Top 10 Reviewer' labeled folks making reviews on these unheard of products. So the 'all stars' of Amazon are all in on it. All this is separate from the multitude of companies who put little cards in their packaging offering a rebate for a good review. Garbage all the way down...

tough 3y ago
Where does one start working as a paid reviewer anyways?
- refulgentis 3y ago
  > On Amazon....There are giant networks of companies seeking out American reviewers...I was invited to one after leaving a good review on some product I'd bought > From what I can tell, Chinese companies hire companies in India and Bangladesh to boost reviews. They then act like middlemen, seeking out pay for play reviewers in other countries.
- geraldwhen 3y ago
  Sites like mturk. Some of the work seems legit, but it’s all manipulation of organic web traffic. I made a lot of money in fake reviews in a past life.
geraldwhen 3y ago
US reviewers often get paid a premium on amazon/iTunes/Apple Store, but the bulk buys are still India. It’s quite easy to spot fake reviews by anyone, since they’re formulaic. I.e the review must mention <person name> or <product name> exactly as written and be at least 50 characters long. So you get 2-3 sentences that look like this: “Product is a huge game changer for me and my family. I’ve tried some other stuff, but honestly it didn’t work as well. I’d recommend Product for anyone who has Reason.”

gigglesupstairs 3y ago

This is so non-specific. Which website(s) are you talking about?

geraldwhen 3y ago
Piecework sites. I’ve made thousands of dollars in fake reviews. I made $100 in an hour one time while watching shows on Netflix with my wife. I’ve tried boosting posts on Reddit, but the cost seems high for what you get. I’m no longer selling anything myself though. I’ve been out of this world for years.