Negative reviews are a tough challenge on their own, but fake ones are a different beast altogether.
The problem with fake reviews is that they don’t reflect the actual customer experience. They can spread misinformation and create an unfair perception of your brand.
Unlike genuine negative reviews, which provide constructive criticism and insights to improve your offerings, fake online reviews are designed to deceive and undermine your credibility.
Their sole purpose is manipulation, either by fabricating positive feedback to artificially make your brand suspicious or by leaving unjustly negative comments to damage your reputation.
To help you, we cover the following:
• How To Spot Fake Reviews on Google and Other Platforms
• How to Encourage Genuine Reviews
• Need a Review Checker?
| How To Spot Fake Reviews Online |
| 1. Unfamiliar Review Platforms |
10 Ways To Spot Fake Reviews on Google and Other Platforms
Combating fake reviews on Google or other platforms requires vigilance and a proactive strategy. This involves regularly monitoring your review platforms, identifying patterns or suspicious activity and reporting or flagging fraudulent reviews.
By doing so, you take control of the narrative and ensure that genuine customer feedback remains at the forefront, safeguarding your brand’s reputation from unwarranted harm.
Here are 10 ways to spot fake reviews:
1. Unfamiliar Review Platforms
It’s important to keep an eye on where your products or services are being reviewed. If you see feedback popping up on obscure or lesser-known review sites, that’s a red flag. These smaller platforms may not have the same moderation standards as trusted sites like Google Reviews or Trustpilot.
These platforms might exist solely for illegitimate purposes, such as posting fake reviews. Fake reviews could artificially boost your ratings or, even worse, damage your reputation.
Tip: Build your profile or listing and encourage reviews on well-known platforms where your brand is less vulnerable to manipulation.
2. Reviewer’s Profile and History
Remember to take a close look at the reviewer’s profile. They can tell you a lot. Ask yourself if they only review your brand or if they provide balanced feedback across different businesses. If someone is leaving a ton of negative reviews in a short time, or if their account looks new or inactive except for their review of your product, it could be fake.
Spotting patterns like this can help you safeguard your brand’s reputation from fake online reviews. It’s also helpful to respond and ask specific questions about their experience. Additionally, if applicable, you can mention that their name is not in your records. Often, fake reviewers struggle to maintain their charade when asked for more details.
Tip: Make it a habit to look at the reviewer’s profile every time you receive new online reviews.
3. Lack of Specifics
Generic feedback like “Low-quality product!” or “Worst service ever!” can be a huge giveaway. Real customers usually provide some level of detail, whether it’s mentioning how a product worked, how fast it was delivered, or what could be improved. If a review is overly vague or lacks any context, it’s probably not genuine.
However, there are ill-meaning fake reviewers who try to get away with this by mentioning a detail like a fake name of the server at your restaurant. So, you want to still be wary.
Tip: Ask your customers to share their genuine experience with your product or service.
4. Overly Positive or Negative Opinions
When a review is full of glowing praise or harsh criticism without any explanation, it can feel a bit fishy. Real customers tend to give balanced feedback. Sure, they might love the product, but they’ll usually mention a minor thing that could be better, or vice versa.
On the flip side, if a review is all bad but offers no reason why, that’s just as suspicious. Keeping an eye out for these extremes can help you quickly spot inauthentic reviews. If something feels off, it’s worth investigating or even responding to dig a little deeper.
Tip: In surveys, ask guided questions that encourage customers to share both their positive and negative experiences.
5. Frequent Brand Mentions
When a review sounds like a commercial, it’s time to raise an eyebrow. Fake reviews often repeat your brand name or use too much marketing language, which sounds unnatural coming from an actual customer.
For example, if someone writes, “XYZ-brand shoes are the best XYZ shoes I’ve ever bought from XYZ,” that’s more of a marketing red flag than helpful feedback.
Similarly, the approach could be applied by a malicious negative reviewer. A real customer would likely focus more on their personal experience rather than sounding like they’re trying to solely damage your brand name.
Tip: Pay attention to feedback that feels personal and reflective of an actual user experience, rather than something that sounds scripted.
6. Inconsistent Grammar or Spelling
It’s typical for online reviews to have the occasional typo or awkward phrasing, but when you start seeing reviews filled with poor grammar, random capitalizations, or sentences that barely make sense more frequently, it might be a red flag. These kinds of reviews are often the work of bots or individuals paid to leave fake feedback.
For example, “The produk is bad, I hate very much!!!” doesn’t really feel like a thoughtful review, right? Fake online reviews like these can lower the perceived quality of your brand.
Tip: If you suspect a flood of fake negative reviews, report them to the review platform for further investigation.
7. Overly Scripted Stories
If a review starts with something like, “I was sitting by the fire, drinking my favorite coffee, when I unboxed this life-changing product,” it might be a little too polished. Real customers typically cut to the chase, sharing what they liked, what they didn’t and how the product worked for them.
While storytelling can be a natural part of some reviews, overly detailed narratives that sound like a marketing pitch are a giveaway. Authentic reviews tend to be more direct and personal, not perfectly crafted tales.
Tip: Look for feedback that includes details about functionality, quality, or customer service — things a real customer would care about.
8. Clustered Posting Dates
Notice a sudden rush of reviews all posted within a short time? That’s a red flag. Genuine feedback trickles in naturally over time, while fake reviews are often posted in batches to manipulate your ratings.
For example, if your product gets 20 five-star reviews in one day after a lull in feedback, it’s worth a second look. The same is true for a wave of negative reviews. Such clustering of dates doesn’t sit well with customers who are looking for authenticity.
Tip: Don’t engage with reputation management companies that promise positive reviews in a short period of time.
9. Sneaky Competitor Endorsements
Watch out for reviews that seem to slyly promote your competitors. They often follow a pattern like, “Product A didn’t really work for me, but Product B from another brand was a game-changer!” Such a sneaky approach tries to steer potential customers away from your brand and toward a rival. It’s a subtle yet deliberate tactic used to cast doubt and redirect interest.
Sometimes, verified reviews with a mention of your competitor are valid. When you spot these, it’s key to address them professionally. A thoughtful response reinforces your brand’s confidence without coming across as defensive. It positively reflects well on your business.
Tip: Don’t buy paid reviews to promote your own brand on your competitors own reviews. Paid reviews are unethical and prohibited on all platforms.
10. Suspicious Links
Most reputable review platforms don’t allow clickable links in online reviews to prevent spam and maintain the integrity of feedback. Instead, any links appear as plain text, which users would need to copy and paste into a browser. This design helps ensure that reviews remain focused on genuine experiences and not on driving traffic to other sites.
However, fake reviewers sometimes insert links with the intent of redirecting users to spammy or harmful websites. Google’s review system is designed to combat such tactics and preserve review authenticity. Authentic customer reviews typically avoid including external links, except when they’re relevant, like pointing to your customer support page or a useful resource.
Tip: Regularly monitor your reviews for any suspicious links and promptly report or remove any that don’t belong. This helps maintain a clean and credible review section.
📗 Related read: A Beginner’s Guide to Online Reputation Management
5 Tips on How To Encourage Genuine Reviews
Encouraging genuine reviews is all about creating a positive experience that makes customers want to share their feedback. Here are some effective ways to inspire authentic, verified reviews:
• Provide High-Quality Products or Services
It’s no surprise that high-quality products or services are the foundation of positive reviews. When customers are genuinely satisfied with what you offer, they’re more inclined to share their enthusiasm. Focus on delivering exceptional value and reliability to naturally generate favorable feedback.
• Offer Outstanding Customer Support
Top-notch customer support goes a long way in earning reviews. When customers feel well taken care of — both during and after their purchase — they’re more likely to leave a review. Friendly, responsive service makes a memorable impression that encourages customers to sing your praises.
• Keep Your Listings Updated
An up-to-date listing reflects your brand’s commitment to quality and professionalism. Make sure that your product images, information and other key details are current and accurate. This not only helps potential customers make informed decisions but also shows that you care about maintaining a credible online presence.
• Ask for Reviews at Key Moments
Timing is everything when it comes to asking for reviews. Whether it’s a follow-up email after a purchase, a QR code on a restaurant table, or a quick pop-up survey on your website, reaching out at just the right moment can prompt customers to leave feedback. Make it easy and convenient for them to share their thoughts.
• Respond to Reviews Personally and Professionally
Taking the time to respond to reviews shows that you value customer feedback. Personalize your responses to reflect the specifics of each review, demonstrating that you’ve truly listened and appreciated their input. Maintain a professional tone to ensure your replies enhance your brand’s reputation.
Need a Review Checker?
Fake reviews can distort your brand’s reputation and mislead potential customers. These deceptive reviews can undermine the genuine feedback you’ve earned and make it harder for real customers to find honest opinions about your products or services.
Thrive Local offers thorough review analysis services to help you. We specialize in uncovering fake reviews and ensuring that authentic customer experiences are front and center.
Some of our services are:
• Online reputation repair
• Reputation management software
• Social media reputation management
• Franchise reputation management
Let our review analysis team help you safeguard your brand’s credibility and maintain trust with your audience. Send us a message.
