A new warning for those who would post shill reviews
Posted By Mike Orren in Square Pegs on July 15, 2009
Longtime readers know that a crusade near and dear to our hearts is illuminating, if not eliminating "shill" reviews where it is clear that a business (often a restaurant) is posting multiple reviews from the same computer in order to make their place sound better than it (usually) is. We've even brought in special video guests to help make the point.
Maybe this will finally help stem the tide: A fake review shill for a plastic surgeon in New York just settled a case with the state for $300,000.
(And in the "even I am not up on all the latest terminology" file, the practice is called "astroturfing.")
Travis Bush, says:
Special Guest video not available, Mike...
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Jason Rice, says:
Astroturfing is broad - usually trying to fake "grassroots"....
like say you formed a "task force" to rename a wheelbarrow after a marginally known billiards hustler from Tuscon-- or some other Arizona town... and then propped it up with huge dollars from say a large multinational political machine --- with all licenses, domain names and copyright held by your Aunt Myrna from Ft. Lauderdale -- with a sudden temporary apartment in the neighborhood being railroaded.
Yeah - pisses me off when that happens
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Rawlins Gilliland, says:
I thought 'Astroturfing' was when you're making out on miniature golf courses.
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Mike Orren, says:
Yeah, Travis-- It looks like the shortened version has been killed, but if you click on the YouTube link, you can watch it.
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Chris Kidd, says:
Now, if we can quit posting every tom, dick, and harrys press releases, it'll be good times for all...
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Jason Rice, says:
When "Reviewers" leave out details like .... partial ownership or cohabitation status with the "geniuses" they are reviewing, what's the best way to expose that? (Yeah, a very recent one pops to mind, but decorum forbids...)
We tend to devolve pretty quickly into catfights. What's the best policy, Miko?
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ch0, says:
Ah, those Yosts are at it again, are they? We'll fix em, but good!
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Jason Rice, says:
Well, sure we could take exception to them.... but they ARE as cool as they tell us they are.
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Travis Bush, says:
And NOT from PLANO..
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Mike Orren, says:
Jason, best to send us an email at customerservice@pegasusnews.com alerting us to the situation. I can assure you that we're not willfully running reviews that lack transparency on issues like that.
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