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.
Comments
Scott Doyle Verified
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...
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Lisa Lawrence Merritt Verified
There is absolutely nothing fake about me or my food reviews. Disagreeable maybe, but not fake.
WYSIWYG
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
I get the A and accessories?
3 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Matt Anderson Verified
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.
2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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