Fake Testimonials - How can we stop them? | Warrior Forum - The #1 Digital Marketing Forum & Marketplace

13 years ago

Sad to say, I don't see any pat solution to fake testimonials.. most you can smell a mile away anyway..

I'd be more apt to believe a review if I knew the person hadn't gotten a free review copy, if you know what I mean..

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Kay King

13 years ago

I never make a buying decision based on testimonials - unless I KNOW the person providing the testimonial.

The only point you make that makes sense to me is that if you see someone who provides a lot of positive testimonials for products - a little skepticism is in order.

The idea that you would require someone offering their opinion (testimonial) to provide personal info to you about the purchase or SSN is ludicrous. You should be evaluating the product - not those persons making comments about it.

kay

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Alan Cheng 13 years ago

Fake testimonials will never go away. Like Kay, I don't believe in the testimonials I read either.

Anyway I would continue to use them on sales letters and in follow up emails because a lot of people do believe in them. Especially in non-IM markets!

But avoid getting a video testimonial from places like Fiverr. If you're called out on one, it's sooooo embarrassing.
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nichedemon

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

The idea that you would require someone offering their opinion (testimonial) to provide personal info to you about the purchase or SSN is ludicrous. You should be evaluating the product - not those persons making comments about it.

kay

The idea of providing a SSN in a testimonial certification site is derived from Google Adsense model where if you are proven to be abusing the system you get bared from the system aka "Google slapped"!

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Kay King

13 years ago

Google adsense requires your SSN because they pay you money - and that number is necessary for IRS reporting. Outside the US, people don't have SSNs and google manages to ban them just fine.

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nichedemon

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Google adsense requires your SSN because they pay you money - and that number is necessary for IRS reporting. Outside the US, people don't have SSNs and google manages to ban them just fine.

Well some market research sites do pay their reviewers for reviewing products. Maybe paying for a testimonial is not so bad when its not the creator paying for the testimonials but an independent third party.

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CDarklock

13 years ago

Originally Posted by nichedemon

Wanted to hear some ideas of how to stop fake testimonials.

What a fantastic idea.

Let's stop people from telling lies on the internet.

It's so simple.

Why didn't we think of this before?

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neodarth

13 years ago

Perhaps we can create a software that displays words in red according to the pressure of the keyboard and the time that takes to write between each phrase, clear indicators of lying.

Looks like a good idea to me...

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mojojuju 13 years ago

I just ignore the fake testimonials. I even ignore the fake "not fake" testimonials.
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The Niche Man 13 years ago

Believe it or not the F.T.C is working feverishly behind the scenes to establish more stringent guidelines to deal with fake testimonials, stay tuned. In the meantime I avoid putting too weight into vague or hypie testimonials.

The only testimonials I really trust are the "unsolicited ones" that invite me to contact them, which means I don't trust many.

Most testimonials are solicited, coddled and sometimes coached, but they still have their place. But because of the reasons given that place is shrinking fast in credibility.

I'm afraid if something isn't done fast to remedy it, testimonials may go the way of Get Rich Quick Being Lazy Offers and 800 number Psychics when it comes to credibility. Don't laugh it could happen.
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kasimarie

13 years ago

Originally Posted by neodarth

Perhaps we can create a software that displays words in red according to the pressure of the keyboard and the time that takes to write between each phrase, clear indicators of lying.

Looks like a good idea to me...

Hahahaha! Thanks for the laugh, neodarth, I needed that today!

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zigato

13 years ago

It's impossible to stop fake testimonials... as Paul said, the best way is to get recommendations from family members and friends that you trust.

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nichedemon

13 years ago

Originally Posted by zigato

It's impossible to stop fake testimonials... as Paul said, the best way is to get recommendations from family members and friends that you trust.

Good thought zigato but is there a way to institutionalize that trust. Look at what Prosper and LendingClub is doing in terms of peer to peer lending based on credit rating and peer review or Amazon or ebay in terms of their rating system. How about linking in the Facebook and LinkedIn profile of the testimonial provider and product creator to create visibility of a real person behind this and to the credibility the have built elsewhere.

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CDarklock

13 years ago

Originally Posted by nichedemon

Amazon or ebay in terms of their rating system.

You can't tell whether people told the truth on their rating, either.

There are many examples of heavily trolled Amazon products that nobody is actually buying, but which have attracted lots of high-score reviews because people thought it was funny. The Harry Potter vibrating broom is one infamous example.

And anyone who has done anything serious on eBay knows the feedback system there is a complete joke. Some people leave negative feedback if they emailed you and didn't get a reply within twenty minutes. Some leave positive feedback before you even ship the item.

So using those as examples is just... well, misguided, at the very least.

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Devid Farah 13 years ago

I think there is no way...people will always go to places like Fiverr and will pay for video testimonials. Very simple.
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nichedemon

13 years ago

Originally Posted by CDarklock

You can't tell whether people told the truth on their rating, either.

There are many examples of heavily trolled Amazon products that nobody is actually buying, but which have attracted lots of high-score reviews because people thought it was funny. The Harry Potter vibrating broom is one infamous example.

And anyone who has done anything serious on eBay knows the feedback system there is a complete joke. Some people leave negative feedback if they emailed you and didn't get a reply within twenty minutes. Some leave positive feedback before you even ship the item.

So using those as examples is just... well, misguided, at the very least.

I agree both amazon and ebay testimonials can be faked but a moderated review system like they have is a far better than unmoderated totally arbitrary testimonials in information products peddled on the internet don't you think? when other users complain of a fake testimonial Amazon or Ebay can ban the testimonial user and thereby their hard earned credibility rating. They can always start afresh but the fear of getting banned keeps most on track and a few errant ones waiver that can be caught.

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CDarklock 13 years ago

Originally Posted by nichedemon

a moderated review system like they have is a far better than unmoderated

But we have a moderated review system like they have. You can post anything you want, but if it's fake, people can complain to the FTC and maybe they will do something about it.

Or maybe they won't, because they don't really give a crap if Billy told a lie at recess.
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abbesnwk

Banned 13 years ago

a study recenly made sais that testimonials influence the impule of buying with 26%. pretty nice

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moneymoguls

13 years ago

I've been burned by many WSO's but never again. I don't believe any of the testimonials. But beyond that, just think about the claim of the product. Does it sound too good to be true?????

I just read a WSO about building a website and ranking #1 in Google in 2 weeks. One claim was that a person made $40,000 in 2 weeks and another $120,000 in 6 months. The people offering the WSO have made $30 million and are selling a training membership for $47/month or $7 for a trial.

So if you made $30 million, would you sell your secret to everyone for $47/month?????? NOT ME

I've learned a lot about IM over 5 years of trial and error and weeding out a lot of BS. I can now rank websites and make money. I would never share what I learned.

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talfighel

13 years ago

No one can guarantee you that a testimonial is real or not.

You can even add a picture to the testimonial and that pic can be fake too.

I have seen a few websites do it because they used the same picture of someone and had totally different names.

You can even do video testimonials and still fake it by paying the person to do one for you without even ever trying the product.

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Sean Fry 13 years ago

Originally Posted by talfighel

No one can guarantee you that a testimonial is real or not.

Actually, they can if they are using a service like authenticated testimonials, which verify the identity of the person writing the testimonial.
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E. Brian Rose

13 years ago

Maybe you should lobby Congress to fund a new branch of the DOJ that specifically deals with investigating testimonials. They could send an agent to the homes of every person that posts an opinion online. After a stringent interrogation, the agent would then decide whether this opinion was real or not.

It's really just that simple.

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nichedemon

13 years ago

Originally Posted by E. Brian Rose

Maybe you should lobby Congress to fund a new branch of the DOJ that specifically deals with investigating testimonials. They could send an agent to the homes of every person that posts an opinion online. After a stringent interrogation, the agent would then decide whether this opinion was real or not.

It's really just that simple.

Thank you for your constructive criticism but FTC is already on the case.

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BloggingPro

13 years ago

After spending about 13 years online I've gotten pretty good and sniffing out the fake testimonials. Sometimes I'm wrong, but a majority of the time my gut reaction is usually correct. They all seem the be written the same. Nothing is perfect and if a testimonial claims something is perfect they are probably lying.

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Alan Petersen

13 years ago

Originally Posted by nichedemon

Wanted to hear some ideas of how to stop fake testimonials. is there any solution out there to certify the testimonial. Some ideas that come to mind are:

a. A ranking or rating system for testimonial providers similar to ebay, Amazon
b. Ensuring testimonial provider actually bought the product by linkages with ClickBank, PayPal, etc
c. Arms length transactions - how many times did testimonial provider provide testimonials for product creators products. How many were positive, how many negative
d. Testimonials that are not just commentaries but rate the product / service on a scale and provide both pros and cons
e. Telephone verification and SSN (kept private) for testimonial provider

All of this would lead to a seal provided to a testimonial like a Verisign or trusted Merchant seal with each testimonial.

Having a review/rating system like Amazon won't do much. Big name companies like Belkin were busted buying positive Amazon reviews for 65 cents.

Belkin paying 65 cents for good reviews on NewEgg and Amazon?

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neodarth

13 years ago

I only see two choices here...

Stop fake testimonials on the internet or educate people not to make desicions influenced by testimonials from people they don't know.

I don't know which is going to be harder to do.

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jeff_k

13 years ago

I used to base my decisions off of testimonials, but nowadays testimonials are worse then buying a product blindly. The reason I say this is because you never know if testimonials are true or fake and if you base your purchases off of them you could end up wasting a lot of money.

I agree with neodarth, I think if someone created a thread about how to make decisions not influenced by testimonials and then had it stickied it could help the fight against fake testimonials.

Other then that the sad reality is there really is no chance for the good side of this fight.

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Tyson Faulkner

13 years ago

Make it a habit to only buy from people you know and trust, or from someone you know and trust has recommended. Integrity means a lot and usually word gets around about marketers who make a habit of inflating things.

And if you find a product that seems good from a guy you've never heard of, just make sure it has a guarantee.

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eppingvonryan

13 years ago

man i don't know how but i sure hope you find a way!!!!

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ValentinJed

13 years ago

I don't think there's a way to stop fake testimonials. Sometimes you just see that it's a fake. I guess when you see a testimonial you are the only one who can decide: fake or not.

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David Louis Monk

13 years ago

I came to not believe in testimonials when I found out the first time a highly respected internet marketer and tutor had given a testimonial for a product it was evident he had never used. It is not right for people to give testimonials without properly reviewing and evaluaiting the product first.

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Tina Golden 13 years ago

You want them to stop? Don't buy the products.

If they didn't work and no one handed over their money, the product creator would figure out that something is wrong.

In the meantime, don't take at face value any testimonial that you can't verify by contacting the person who gave it.
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pyrotechno

13 years ago

Just stick with reputable well known sources if possible. Or have an expert certify the authenticity of a person's words

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alamest

13 years ago

yes for this fake things people are making a lot of money and rules are becoming hard and hard...

You cann't stop this with this thread...do you think this thread will stop the fake things...

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Fake Testimonials - How can we stop them?

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