For those who would post fake restaurant reviews
Posted By Mike Orren in Square Pegs on April 18, 2008
This brilliant clip from Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares should serve as a warning to all restaurateurs (or other businesses) who think it's a good idea to post fake sock puppet reviews. (Warning: NSFW language):
We've talked about this many times -- unlike most nationally-run local sites, we actually pay attention to the quality of our user reviews and while we can't catch all the fakes, we do what we can.
Instead of faking reviews, the best thing to do is to:
- Be awesome
- Encourage your happy customers to post their own reviews. And don't give them a script. Our crack audience of foodies will see right through that and call you out
We strongly believe that a credible community of reviewers is critical to making our site useful. And if you listen to Gordon, he thinks it's good for your business too.
Scott Doyle, says:
Admittedly, I kinda like it when obvious fakes spring up. Calling people out is half the fun, Miko!
Especially since I'm a non-foodie. Gotta get my time in the Dining pages somehow...
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1 year, 7 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Lisa Lawrence Merritt, says:
There is absolutely nothing fake about me or my food reviews. Disagreeable maybe, but not fake.
WYSIWYG
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Scott Doyle, says:
I get the A and accessories?
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Matt Anderson, says:
You know, after reading another couple restaurant reviews (Mi Chulas Good Mexican) posted within 24 hours of each other, by anonymous posters that only showed up to review that restaurant, I wonder if it wouldn't be nice to have a cheery "First Post!" flag on every user's first comment. It would allow us to recognize and welcome new participants -- and also serve as a caveat emptor on probably-fake reviews.
Happened to notice those particular reviews after a link from the SideDish blog with a horrible story about that place.
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1 year, 6 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal