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Fake book reviews on Amazon
Richard Monson-Haefel: "If you've been in the book writing game more than a week, then you are probably aware that some authors post fake reviews to their books and their competitors books. It's an ugly truth that is rarely spoken about...Personally, I think the best solution is for Amazon.com to validate the identity of its members by credit card." Or, at least, Amazon should be more up-front about its lack of authentication -- call it an escalated "review-reader beware" policy.
Posted on January 25, 2004 at 03:29 PM | Permalink
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Comments
It is true, I refuse to buy a book from Amazon based on the reviews unless there are at least 5, this is because one book I bought had 3 great reviews and not one of them was even close. I thought maybe it was me, but after my cousin read it (we trade books all the time) he said it was junk also.
If there are not 5 reviews, then I walk over to my local B&N (15 blocks) and skim through it a little to get a feel if I like it or not.
Posted by: Erik at Jan 25, 2004 6:57:25 PM
Yeah - I think they're fake aswell - and have some method of tracking your IP address, as three reviews of the same book were written by someone who lived in MY TOWN, in the NORTH of ENGLAND....
Posted by: mackers at Jul 5, 2005 1:23:20 PM
The Bigger the Publisher, the more fake reviews they've mustered, even before they go to print. The world is awash with fake reviews. The ability to look inside a book when online helps.
Posted by: Simon Drake at Aug 12, 2008 5:50:19 AM
There is a solution or at least remedy to this problem, which Yelp uses. There are many criteria which will indicate 'suspect' reviews, including coming from the same IP address and if a reviewer posts only once. Amazon could purge the reviews that are suspect. Better to lose a few authentic ones than poison the entire well, which is what is happening. If you see the five star review posters are one time only users, and often use many of the same adjectives as other five star reviewers, big red flag!! I really hope they wise up to this or they will be hurting their own brand.
Posted by: barb grace at Jan 27, 2009 8:32:32 PM
