Does anyone here use fake testimonials?

by Theory5

Posted: 13 years ago 22 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I was looking for MRR and PLR software to use, when I stumbled across a "fake testimonial generator" which stated that it produced convincing testimonials.
Why would people do that? How many of you do it?
I don't know what the industry standard is but I would call this unethical to say the least.

#fake #testimonials

CyberSorcerer 13 years ago

Actually if you've ever took "Product Launch Formula", or any other product launch course, you would know that you can get bonafide testimonials for your sales, or squeeze page during your pre-pre launch or pre-launch depending on which sequence you choose to use.
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tpw 13 years ago

No never. My integrity is intact.
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- Alexandre Valois 13 years ago
  
  Yes, I do it all the time on my websites.
  
  Check out my last one at:
  Buy My Stupid Ebook, Overly SEO d Title, Keywords Crammed like Make Money Online Make Money Online Make Money Online
  
  ... Ok, seriously. No. And neither should you. Nothing more to see, move on.
  
  P.S: No, I do not own this website either, although I kinda wish I did...
  
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x3xsolxdierx3x 13 years ago

No. Never.
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E. Brian Rose 13 years ago

Not only will it rot your soul, it is illegal in the U.S. (unless you disclose that they are fake).
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Edwin Torres 13 years ago

I bet you are looking for a lot of no but in all honesty I might use fake testimonials as in bribe a few friends to say what I what them to say so technically it isnt totally fake but more of a paid testimonial.
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Sheryl Polomka 13 years ago

Never! I'm sure many people do and for that reason I don't pay much attention to testimonials.

It's a sad world when you can't trust half of what you hear because those few dishonest people ruin it for the rest of us!
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- MarketingVet09 13 years ago
  
  Yea, testimonials are honestly a joke, only because it's impossible to tell the real from the fake. Luckily, most legit products, and everything on Clickbank, has at least a 60 day money back guarantee. That way if it's 100% fluff, the person can easily get a refund.
  
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Resale Rights Ninja 13 years ago

God no. I actually have integrity.
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Griffon 13 years ago

Fake testimonials? I'd say most may not be outright "fakes", but people are offered inducements to be complimentary. Almost every single "guru" does that without a doubt. Few testimonials are true, unsolicited compliments..they are usually asked for, and many times, are bought and paid for, and this goes for the offline world as well. As many other posters have mentioned, don't pay any attention to them and use your own judgement, operating under the assumption they are usually far from impartial third parties.

And please folks, spare us the righteous indignation about integrity......
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Laura B 13 years ago

I don't use fakes and never will. I also don't encourage people to be complimentary. How they feel about my product is how they feel. (Of course, if I were to get bad feedback, I wouldn't be heavily inclined to put it on my sales page...)
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entrepreneurjay 13 years ago

I definitely do not it is unethical and it can potentially get you in trouble with the FTC it is just not worth it.

I prefer to do all white hat marketing techniques. Reminds me of Bernie Madoff marketers that do that b.s.
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ShaunAllen 13 years ago

I've never been a fan of prison.
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dexcell 13 years ago

Well, i don't
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- psresearch 13 years ago
  
  Fake testimonials are a highly effective sales technique when combined with fake "reasons why", fake social proof, fake scarcity offers, and fake OTOs and have been shown to blow conversion rates out of the roof (I have fake proof confirming all of that, btw).
  
  You can also minimize refund rates drastically by providing fake customer support.
  
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RegalWeb 13 years ago

Fake testimonials are as fake as the site owner. Sorry for the harsh comment. According to the dictionary a TESTIMONIAL is a:

1. A statement in support of a particular truth, fact, or claim.
2. A written affirmation of another's character or worth; a personal recommendation.
3. Something given in appreciation of a person's service or achievement; a tribute.

Now, why bother weave a fake testimonial?
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yellow-humvee 13 years ago

No. Not me...and I will never will...
I prefer harsh-true comment rather fake-nice comment... Sincerity does good for you along the way in this world, even in the cyberspace world
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celente 13 years ago

Man this is so bad. Yes to the prison commetnn The FTC are coming down hard on people that are scammers and giving fake testimonial. I heard 2 stories of a video site that was being investigated.

It is not really good to do, but yet still many do this.

You are better to do what I do and keep testimonials on file...in the office and on hard document. That is better for people to see, if you are the real deal.

I have even seen fake testimonails on the site of one so called guru, and his web guy didnt even bother to check that all the testimonials were the same, with different names.....LOL i was laughing for a day over that one. But it is despicable.

just do not do it. And dont use thread titles like this, its gunna give newbies too many bad ideas in their head.
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- Silas Hart 13 years ago
  
  I use fake testimonials all of the time!
  
  Just kidding, I don't use testimonials at all.
  
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JennSpencerIM 13 years ago

I just emailed a small buyers list of a few thousand and received nearly 150 amazing testimonials for my use....so why bother faking them??
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Mark Brian 13 years ago

In the IM niche you don't call it fake, it's more of an assurance when different IMers put their "testimonials" with their pic on a salespage.
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