Is your removalist trustworthy? See how to spot fake reviews.

Too trusting in what we read?
In the modern age of social media reviews on a product or service are easy to get, so having an understanding that there are fake reviews out there can make it easier for you the customer in the long run by not being fooled into thinking the product or service is better or worse then it is. For the full in-depth exploration of the matter visit:
https://www.austate.com.au/blog/how-to-spot-fake-reviews

Are there really fake reviews out there?

• Some sites can have up to 50% fake reviews
• 8/10 people reckon that they have read an untrustworthy review with 85% of people saying that they would not or can not tell the difference between a real and fake review.
• A lot of businesses will pay for bulk reviews, to boost their product sales. This can be done by paying overseas companies that make a living doing just this.
• Cornell University has done some good work on recognising fake reviews.
  Check them out here: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2011/07/cornell-computers-spot-opinion-spam-online-reviews
• Opinion spam is where they give positive feedback to help sell your product and negative reviews against the competitor’s product.
• This can happen not only by the business paying for it or when disgruntled former employees try to seek revenge on a business.

Seeking credibility through falsehoods

• Many fake reviews are trying to establish credibility using “I” and “me” statements and overuse of verbs.
• Phrase repetition. If reviews use “like” or “similar” phrases over several reviews it can indicate falsehood. These reviews are often done in bulk.
• Fake reviews set the scene using phrases like moving to a better lifestyle, my partner and I, again to create the impression of personal experience but with a nebulous surreal quality.
• Timing of reviews, if there is a spike in the number of reviews within a certain period of time or dated prior to the release of a product (hard, but not impossible to review a product when it is not released yet).
• Fake reviews use generic names or faceless profiles
• Incorrect spelling and grammar, because many false reviews are written using poor English.
• Nothing but glowing reviews or nothing but poor reviews. If the product has nothing but glowing reviews with no problems or suggested improvements can indicate falsehood.
• Beware of profiles/reviewers that hand out 5-star ratings for many products,
• Over the top or extreme enthusiasm about products is questionable. Most genuine reviews point out a few drawbacks with a product or service

How truthful reviews look

• Truth tellers use more nouns throughout their review like inventory, packing, parking, reliability, equipment and more about the facts than the feelings
• The scene-setting is irrelevant
• Use of authenticity in people’s names and profiles E.G. Have a real picture.
• Use of real person language rather than industry babble. Product users don’t know or understand industry terminology.
• Greater spread of dates only spiking when a sale or release of a product
• 3-4 stars are more likely to be an honest evaluation of a product even when a user loves a product they will often think that there is room to improve.
• Just good common sense rather than pie-in-the-sky statements
• A balanced and fair evaluation of products without negative references to competition.
• If in doubt ask the reviewer themselves if contact details are available.

In conclusion
So where to from here. As a furniture removalist company with a reputation for good quality and reliable service for the 30+ years we have been in the industry, we are proud of the genuine feedback that we get from our customer’s reviews. We willingly take on board any helpful criticism of our service standards always aiming higher in the provision of service to you our valued clients. And don’t forget to have a look at our helpful guides and tools to make your next move less stressful and get your next step in life off to a flying start.
https://www.austate.com.au/blog