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Spinning Reviews As Your Own

by TheNewJames
12 replies
For product review sites, obviously many people write reviews on products that they don't actually have. They just read other people's reviews and create their own based off of that.

Having said that, is it acceptable/legal to write the review from the first person? Like, "I love using my Nikon Camera to take pictures of my dog." When I've never even held a Nikon Camera.

Is this ok to do?
#reviews #spinning
  • Profile picture of the author 1byte
    Originally Posted by SickNickel View Post

    For product review sites, obviously many people write reviews on products that they don't actually have. They just read other people's reviews and create their own based off of that.

    Having said that, is it acceptable/legal to write the review from the first person? Like, "I love using my Nikon Camera to take pictures of my dog." When I've never even held a Nikon Camera.

    Is this ok to do?
    Well, if it's not true, and you are just "making it up" then no, it is not acceptable to write the review in the first person.

    It's contrived, phoney, unethical, and dishonest. It's these very sorts of things that give Internet Marketing such a black eye these days. Don't do it!
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  • Profile picture of the author Armand2REP
    Uh... no! Not only is it dishonest, it is illegal. If you are getting paid you can be charged with fraud.
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  • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
    Banned
    Originally Posted by SickNickel View Post

    For product review sites, obviously many people write reviews on products that they don't actually have. They just read other people's reviews and create their own based off of that.
    Can't say that I've noticed that, and how would you know that they don't actually own that particular product? They're hardly going to say. If they did I can't see the benefit of doing it unless you've got a back-link.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by SickNickel View Post

    For product review sites, obviously many people write reviews on products that they don't actually have. They just read other people's reviews and create their own based off of that.

    Having said that, is it acceptable/legal to write the review from the first person? Like, "I love using my Nikon Camera to take pictures of my dog." When I've never even held a Nikon Camera.

    Is this ok to do?
    Let me rephrase your question...

    Is it acceptable to lie to people in order to trick them into buying something?

    Only you and the face in the mirror know the answer to that one.
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  • Profile picture of the author Devin X
    Banned
    Originally Posted by SickNickel View Post

    For product review sites, obviously many people write reviews on products that they don't actually have. They just read other people's reviews and create their own based off of that.

    Having said that, is it acceptable/legal to write the review from the first person? Like, "I love using my Nikon Camera to take pictures of my dog." When I've never even held a Nikon Camera.

    Is this ok to do?
    No, it's not okay. It doesn't make any sense either because it (1) doesn't work at all, and (2) just fills the net up with more useless garbage that no one will read or believe. Those damned sniper sites with fake reviews and characters need to stop filling google's SERPS.

    If you're going to do reviews, then you will need to do in depth reviews which means buying the product or getting a review copy. BTW, most of your reviews will be less than useful for you or the vendors because a lot of the IM products are complete trash and not worth recommending.

    Jeff Lenney is an example of a good reviewer. He dominated this for a while until the scammers flagged his channel and YT removed it.

    Sometimes I only have to google the vendor's name and read/view the sales page to judge it...although I know, I should always review everything in depth. haven't done it in a while but I think I'll get back into it.

    Reviewing products is not a lazy way out. It takes time, patience, and good judgement.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheNewJames
    Ok. I definitely thought it sounded sketchy, but I was reading some people's Amazon review site "strategies", and they were saying to write the reviews from first person so that people can relate and like you all said, it seemed wrong to me, and you all agree, thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
    A lie is a lie my friend. Take that as you would like.
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  • Profile picture of the author Susan A
    Well, there are other options to review product without cheating. Simply buy it and give the review yourself, except that is weird and not effective. Next options, you can just add reference to your product review, which is just weirder than before. So, don't copy another person's review
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    • Profile picture of the author aprilm
      Nope. Don't do it. That's about as bad as those courses you get that tell you to create websites saying you have a huge problem and found the end all be all solution by using " product X". It's just not right. Don't stoop.
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  • Profile picture of the author icoachu
    Derivative Content = violates copyright law

    Just get REAL PEOPLE to review your stuff HONESTLY.

    That's the best policy. Any scam moves you pull will catch up to you eventually. That's the law of life. What's the point of making $10000 today but getting cancer or getting in an accident later?
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  • Profile picture of the author RyanLB
    It's illegal. Very rarely enforced, but illegal.

    If you are a decent marketer, you can probably think of other methods for marketing products without outright lying.
    Signature

    I'm a Freelance Copywriter that helps Agencies, Startups and Businesses Educate Their Audience and Grow Sales
    Skype Me: r.boze
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  • Profile picture of the author FIERCE IM
    Hello,

    Normally reviews are from people who have use a product first and then give their opnion or review on the product. Ofc faking it not fair for the consumer. But i don't want to judge. I mean do whatever your moral can handle.
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