Fake Reviews

12 years ago

Mark,

I often get asked to review other people's products and
my response is to warn the person in advance that I will
only give honest and objective reviews.

When someone asks me for a review I proceed on the
basis that they are looking for constructive criticism that
will help them to improve the product before it is launched.

I draw a distinction between a review and a testimonial.

I offer testimonials only on an unsolicited basis.

John

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Mark Andrews Banned 12 years ago

Thanks John

A few of us copywriters we don't see much distinction between the two, reviews and testimonials. Both essentially being one and the same thing.

'Testimonials' I guess is the old word to use having been replaced of late by the word 'reviews'.

Hey! It's good to see you again, a few of us have been concerned about you.

Where you been hiding? Are you okay? Well? Chipper? In fine fettle?

Warmest regards,

Mark Andrews
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- John Taylor 12 years ago
  
  Mark,
  
  Originally Posted by Mark Andrews
  
  Where you been hiding? Are you okay? Well? Chipper? In fine fettle?
  
  In the interests of not going off topic... Skype me. ;-)
  
  John
  
  Thanks
  
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  Mark Andrews Banned 12 years ago
  
  As Paul Myers once famously said to me, 'drift happens.'
  
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bobbenjing

12 years ago

Originally Posted by John Taylor

Mark,

I often get asked to review other people's products and
my response is to warn the person in advance that I will
only give honest and objective reviews.

When someone asks me for a review I proceed on the
basis that they are looking for constructive criticism that
will help them to improve the product before it is launched.

I draw a distinction between a review and a testimonial.

I offer testimonials only on an unsolicited basis.

John

I agree. It's not wrong to ask other people for product reviews and/or testimonials, as long as the product quality is good.

To me, product review is simply to increase the social proof of itself. We can make up a simple 2x2 matrix in this case...

[1] A good product with good reviews => sustainable
[2] A good product with bad review => I think this is an unlucky case
[3] A bad product with good review => can only sustain for a short period before the real bad reviews coming in
[4] A bad product with bad review => failure

I'm sure most of us here will support the quadrant [1]. Sadly we do see quadrant [3] in many places over the web ... Clickbank, Fiverr ... Oh :confused:

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TheArticlePros

12 years ago

I scroll through the classifieds section here every 2-3 days and see if there are any product I'm interested in reviewing. Most of the posters will let me. I actually take the time to go through the product in-depth (if it's any good) and I send back a very detailed report to the creator. If it's good, I'll leave a review. If it's not, I'll just PM them.

I looked at one last night where the creator was blatantly telling people to rip off other people's articles and also to post low quality articles because "it doesn't matter." (Don't bother looking in my post history...I don't post in their threads unless I am actually going to review the product. You won't find his "product" because I chose not to review it.)

I sent him a scathing email and told him not to release it. If he does, I'll report the thread to the mods because of what it teaches.

As far as asking for reviews, I only ask for them when I have satisfied clients, meaning that all of mine are real. I don't see the point in fake ones.

-- j

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Michael Oksa

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Mark Andrews

If you're a product owner, why do you ask for fake reviews to boost your credibility from non-buyers?

I have never asked for a fake review. The vast majority of product owners have never done this, nor would they even consider it.

I just find this practice exceedingly odd...

I find it wrong.

If you've got a product, for example an eBook... you should let the market decide whether or not you receive a glowing testimonial for it.

In theory, yes. BUT...sometimes you need to encourage people to share their thoughts about a product. Nothing wrong with that, as long as it's an honest testimonial.

If you need to ask for a review to boost your credibility, by the very fact that you feel the need to ask for one, are you not skewing the very credibility of your offer in the first place in your favor to your target market?

Not necessarily. You are assuming reviews are requested for the purpose of boosting credibility. That may be ONE reason why people ask, but it is not the only reason, and often not even the primary reason.

In other words, manipulating feedback to say whatever you want it to say. Manipulating your potential customers into making a buying decision not entirely based on truth. Which in most people's language would be considered highly disrespectful.

So, by asking for a testimonial or review we are manipulating? Hey, how about this for a question...

Copywriters, why do you lie and overhype the products you write sales letters for?

I can paint with a wide brush, too.

Anyway...

Of course, some will disagree but surely even you can see the inherent danger in doing this? No?

Asking for reviews? No. Manipulating what others say? Yes.

For by the very nature of offering a free version of your product in exchange for a review, you know full well you're playing on the persons emotions to have them say whatever it is you want them to say.

Not in my case. I offer free copies to people that I know will give me honest feedback. Then I make changes as needed. I am not alone in this, but you certainly seem to have a strong point of view on this.

Someone on the other hand who has actually invested their hard earned money in your product, their honest opinion obviously carries a lot more weight.

Perhaps. But, there is also something to be said for people who invest their TIME in reviewing a product.

Agree / disagree?

Both. Depending which part of your post we're talking about.

What are your thoughts about this?

That such a tiny fraction of product creators do this, that it seems as though you're just rying to stir the pot. HOWEVER...the post should be stirred every now and then. Great topic for discussion.

Mark Andrews

All the best,
Michael

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jerrypatel

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Mark Andrews

If you're a product owner, why do you ask for fake reviews to boost your credibility from non-buyers?

I just find this practice exceedingly odd...

If you've got a product, for example an eBook... you should let the market decide whether or not you receive a glowing testimonial for it.

If you need to ask for a review to boost your credibility, by the very fact that you feel the need to ask for one, are you not skewing the very credibility of your offer in the first place in your favor to your target market?

In other words, manipulating feedback to say whatever you want it to say. Manipulating your potential customers into making a buying decision not entirely based on truth. Which in most people's language would be considered highly disrespectful.

Of course, some will disagree but surely even you can see the inherent danger in doing this? No?

For by the very nature of offering a free version of your product in exchange for a review, you know full well you're playing on the persons emotions to have them say whatever it is you want them to say.

Someone on the other hand who has actually invested their hard earned money in your product, their honest opinion obviously carries a lot more weight.

Agree / disagree?

What are your thoughts about this?

Mark Andrews

============
Hey Mark i agree with you as this makes the actual potential and good sellers not able to provide there services and for the buys its worst the services they gets from them.

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robsterhews 12 years ago

It's a shame. Fake reviews are all over the place. Clickbanks most popular woodworking product has a totally fake video testimonial (but I guess it helps sell the product.) The guy in that main video testimonial used to be all over fivver......

Shameful..............
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FrankMiller

12 years ago

Yeah I don't agree with fake reviews. Make a great product, then ask fans to review it!

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Andrea Rillo

12 years ago

yeah... i hate reviews before the product is even sold..

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louie6925

12 years ago

I very often get asked to give reviews due to my no-holds approach to reviewing, but as mentioned that also puts alot of people off!

I find it incredible you can buy reviews on places like fiverr! its just plain wrong and damaging for everyone else! My worry is people will just stop looking at review sites and testimonials due to being unable to siphon fact from fiction! .........and it will be a sad day for the rest of us when it happens! Fiverr should'nt allow gigs like that its just plain wrong!!

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Claude Whitacre

12 years ago

Interesting discussion. Do you know how many reviews on infomercials are from actors, friends of the owner, or relatives? Most. I have a friend that was in dozens of "Get rich in real estate" informercials as a testimonial (in the 1980's). He automatically gave a glowing review...even though he never even bought real estate.

On Amazon, the author usually asks for reviews from dozens of fellow authors, customers, and followers. The first few reviews are either asked for, or from fans. In fact, it makes a huge difference in your book sales. The best way to promote your book (That I've found, anyway) is to donate a copy to people listed as reviewers on Amazon. The only problem is that you cannot control what they say. So you really HAVE to have a good book/product if you are taking that route.

In the vast majority of markets (except this forum) this practice is so common that it's the worst held secret in producing a product.

On this forum? Far less chance because there is a ready and waiting group asking for free copies in exchange for a review. Are these reviews "Fake"?
If you give 3 negative reviews on free Review Copies...will you ever get another one?

Does "Fake" mean written by the authors and passed off as a customers?
Does "Fake" mean that the reviews were asked for?
What if you really like the author? Your review will be different than if you think he's a jerk. Are the reviews still honest?

There are several WP plugins that are sold here and other places that will allow positive reviews, but redirect the negative ones to customer service.
Does that make the viewed reviews dishonest?

When you are selling something not on this forum...do you have any idea how few completely happy customers will leave a review? Almost none. Very rare to get an unsolicited review. If you take a phone call from a buyer that is complimentary...and have it transcribed....and post it as a review...was it a fake review? Can you edit it? Is that right?

Here is what happens eventually...you run out of friends to shill for you. You end up with real customers that sound like real customers. So you really do have to have a great product or the well dries up fast.

Anyway, just a few thoughts.

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Horny Devil

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

Interesting discussion. Do you know how many reviews on infomercials are from actors, friends of the owner, or relatives? Most. I have a friend that was in dozens of "Get rich in real estate" informercials as a testimonial (in the 1980's). He automatically gave a glowing review...even though he never even bought real estate.

On Amazon, the author usually asks for reviews from dozens of fellow authors, customers, and followers. The first few reviews are either asked for, or from fans. In fact, it makes a huge difference in your book sales. The best way to promote your book (That I've found, anyway) is to donate a copy to people listed as reviewers on Amazon. The only problem is that you cannot control what they say. So you really HAVE to have a good book/product if you are taking that route.

In the vast majority of markets (except this forum) this practice is so common that it's the worst held secret in producing a product.

On this forum? Far less chance because there is a ready and waiting group asking for free copies in exchange for a review. Are these reviews "Fake"?
If you give 3 negative reviews on free Review Copies...will you ever get another one?

Does "Fake" mean written by the authors and passed off as a customers?
Does "Fake" mean that the reviews were asked for?
What if you really like the author? Your review will be different than if you think he's a jerk. Are the reviews still honest?

There are several WP plugins that are sold here and other places that will allow positive reviews, but redirect the negative ones to customer service.
Does that make the viewed reviews dishonest?

When you are selling something not on this forum...do you have any idea how few completely happy customers will leave a review? Almost none. Very rare to get an unsolicited review. If you take a phone call from a buyer that is complimentary...and have it transcribed....and post it as a review...was it a fake review? Can you edit it? Is that right?

Here is what happens eventually...you run out of friends to shill for you. You end up with real customers that sound like real customers. So you really do have to have a great product or the well dries up fast.

Anyway, just a few thoughts.

Very well put.

You come on to WF through choice, and choice alone. Although any online forum or marketplace is chocca full of absurd claims and 'get rich quick schemes', IM attracts the worst of the worst as many complete novices feel they have a license to print money after a few weeks (days in some instances) of picking up bits of information here and there online. They then palm off this modicum of hashed misinformation to other newbies looking to make their first impression on IM, by way of WSO, signature links to offers, etc, etc, and all are SO, SO, EASY to show fake reviews. And so it goes on to the next generation . . .

What is imperative to fully comprehend is that IM is THE SINGLE EASIEST online business in which fraudsters, charlatans, and even single brain cell idiots can coerce, manipulate, and extract modest sums of cash from impressionable 'newbies' who are desperate to join the 'online marketing elite'.

Of course it's all a fallacy. We all know full well that 99% of all internet marketeers are failures . . . and bull*****ers if they deny it. The remaining 1% HAVE mastered it, and would likely as not spend little time on forums as there's more pressing matters to attend to - like counting your money.

Fake reviews will always be part of WF, as with other forums. What you have to accept is that it's part of life. Part of your learning curve. Part of the forum YOU have chosen to join. And part of YOUR decision as to what you accept as verbatim or otherwise. As I remarked earlier in the thread, you have a choice.

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Michael Oksa

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Horny Devil

Of course it's all a fallacy. We all know full well that 99% of all internet marketeers are failures . . . and bull*****ers if they deny it.

Actually, I would say anybody who throws around phony statistics without any verifiable proof fits that definition much better. Just because that number gets tossed around doesn't make it true.

Now, it may be true, but I have yet to see a single source that provides proof. Care to share?

All the best,
Michael

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joseph7384

12 years ago

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Horny Devil

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Actually, I would say anybody who throws around phony statistics without any verifiable proof fits that definition much better. Just because that number gets tossed around doesn't make it true.

Now, it may be true, but I have yet to see a single source that provides proof. Care to share?

All the best,
Michael

Originally Posted by joseph7384

The Horny Devil Fiendishly Clever Warrior isn't so clever is he, with his unfounded accusations.

It's a generalisation based on popular belief (google: 99% of internet marketing ends in failure) and has been widely quoted on this forum as well. From my own experience - and particularly from insights gained from WF postings relating to failures and strugglers - I suspect it's more like 99.9%. It's an opinion, and forums are meant for people to express opinions. If YOU have evidence to show otherwise, then I'm all ears.

Heck . . . if you've nothing better to do for the next year or so why not contact and criticise everyone who's ever quoted 99% if you feel so indignant about it.

I must say it's very honourable of you to leap to the defence of a percentage of 'unknown' failures, who don't even realise they could use a slander lawyer :rolleyes:

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Michael Oksa

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Horny Devil

It's a generalisation based on popular belief (google: 99% of internet marketing ends in failure) and has been widely quoted on this forum as well. From my own experience - and particularly from insights gained from WF postings relating to failures and strugglers - I suspect it's more like 99.9%. It's an opinion, and forums are meant for people to express opinions. If YOU have evidence to show otherwise, then I'm all ears.

Heck . . . if you've nothing better to do for the next year or so why not contact and criticise everyone who's ever quoted 99% if you feel so indignant about it.

I must say it's very honourable of you to leap to the defence of a percentage of 'unknown' failures, who don't even realise they could use a slander lawyer :rolleyes:

You brought it up, so the burden of proof is on you. Besides, extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. I'm still waiting for ANYBODY to provide such proof.

In regards to WF posts about struggles and failures: most of them have NOT failed. Why? Because the vast majority are asking how to fix some part of their business. They haven't given up. Yes, you do see an "I'm quitting IM" post every now and then, but they make up much less than 1% of all posts here. However, you do not see me throwing around a phony stat saying 99.5% of all online businesses succeed.

And I have made it a habit to question this so-called "statistic" every time I see it, and will continue to do so.

But, ultimately, what you are saying is that it's okay for you to spread BS around because a lot of other people are spreading the same BS. That doesn't stop it from being BS, nor does the sheer volume of it make it smell any sweeter.

I have no idea what you're on about in reference to slander lawyers.

Anyway, with how often the 99% (or 98%, or 95%, or 97.3%) figure gets tossed around, I'm sure it should be incredibly easy to find some sort of proof from a reliable source, using reliable data. No?

All the best,
Michael

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Horny Devil

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

. . . . Yes, you do see an "I'm quitting IM" post every now and then, but they make up much less than 1% of all posts here. However, you do not see me throwing around a phony stat saying 99.5% of all online businesses succeed.

So where do you get your 'less than 1%' statistic from? What a contradictory statement.

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

. . . . And I have made it a habit to question this so-called "statistic" every time I see it, and will continue to do so.

That's you're prerogative, if you're into crusades. I've much more important things to do.

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

. . . . But, ultimately, what you are saying is that it's okay for you to spread BS around because a lot of other people are spreading the same BS. That doesn't stop it from being BS, nor does the sheer volume of it make it smell any sweeter.

So does that make your 'much less than 1%' statistic equally BS?

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

. . . . I have no idea what you're on about in reference to slander lawyers.

Satire. Wit. Black humour. Obviously gone way over your head.

Whatever figure is right or wrong does anyone give a bag of beans? . . . apart from you.
Seriously, calm down. The sun's out.

.

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Michael Oksa

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Horny Devil

So where do you get your 'less than 1%' statistic from? What a contradictory statement.

Not contradictory at all. Simply look at the threads started here, and there is less than 1 "I'm quitting IM" for every 100 posts. Therefore, "less than 1%". I will grant that my criterion wasn't scientific, but based on the posts here, accurate. (And I was only referencing posts here to illustrate that the 99.9% failure rate is bogus.)

That's you're prerogative, if you're into crusades. I've much more important things to do.

Apparently you don't.

However, yes, I am actually on a lifelong crusade of sorts, and that is to counteract misinformation wherever I can. This applies to all sorts of topics, not just phony stats.

So does that make your 'much less than 1%' statistic equally BS?

Nope. Not based on the criterion and explanation given above. Nice try, though.

Satire. Wit. Black humour. Obviously gone way over your head.

Obviously.

Whatever figure is right or wrong does anyone give a bag of beans? . . . apart from you.

Yes, there are others who are bothered by that particular "statistic". It's false. It's negative. It's damaging. (IMHO)

Seriously, calm down. The sun's out.

LOL. If you could see me now, you would see that I am being completely calm. But...I do get your main point.

All the best,
Michael

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Horny Devil

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Not contradictory at all. Simply look at the threads started here, and there is less than 1 "I'm quitting IM" for every 100 posts. Therefore, "less than 1%". I will grant that my criterion wasn't scientific, but based on the posts here, accurate. (And I was only referencing posts here to illustrate that the 99.9% failure rate is bogus.) . . . .

So by your reasoning a solitary 'I'm quitting' per 100 threads implies the other 99% are successful.

Of that 99%, the majority are not successful by any means. They are struggling along with dreams, and dreams alone. The fact they don't state they are quitting is no yardstick. They make no money but still continue. Therefore they are failures at that particular time.

I stand by my belief that AT LEAST 99% of all IM's fail.

Anyhow Michael, it's a disagreement that would never be resolved. As you quite rightly say there is absolutely no categoric proof.

It's been pleasant talking/debating with an educated warrior who has conviction in his moral stance. Enjoy the rest of the day.

Cheers.

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Michael Oksa

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Horny Devil

So by your reasoning a solitary 'I'm quitting' per 100 threads implies the other 99% are successful.

Of that 99%, the majority are not successful by any means. They are struggling along with dreams, and dreams alone. The fact they don't state they are quitting is no yardstick. They make no money but still continue. Therefore they are failures at that particular time.

I stand by my belief that AT LEAST 99% of all IM's fail.

Anyhow Michael, it's a disagreement that would never be resolved. As you quite rightly say there is absolutely no categoric proof.

It's been pleasant talking/debating with an educated warrior who has conviction in his moral stance. Enjoy the rest of the day.

Cheers.

I think I found the problem.

We are talking about a few different things at the same time.

1. I thought you were talking about how many people fail, not how many don't achieve the highest levels of success. Big difference between those two groups.

2. I would never define success as a lack of struggle.

3. The opposite of success is not failure, it's quitting. Therefore, people posting about struggling are not failures by my definition.

4. I am not saying 99% of people are successful, but that 99% are NOT failures.

5. You will notice that I was only referring to posts on the WF where people say they are "quitting IM". THOSE are the people I consider failures, and they make up less than 1% of all posts here.

So, if struggle of any kind is the yardstick we are losing, then 100% of people in IM or ANY business, heck every person on the entire planet is a failure.

That would obviously be a faulty yardstick to use.

At the same time, your definition of success (or my definition for that matter) should not be projected onto somebody else's definition.

It's an interesting topic for discussion, but the 99% failure rate is a myth that needs to be called out.

OKAY...

With all of that being said...no matter how high or low the true success rate is, I wish it would be higher. I think that's something we can all agree on.

All the best,
Michael

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Horny Devil

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Mark Andrews

If you're a product owner, why do you ask for fake reviews to boost your credibility from non-buyers?

I just find this practice exceedingly odd...

If you've got a product, for example an eBook... you should let the market decide whether or not you receive a glowing testimonial for it.

If you need to ask for a review to boost your credibility, by the very fact that you feel the need to ask for one, are you not skewing the very credibility of your offer in the first place in your favor to your target market?

In other words, manipulating feedback to say whatever you want it to say. Manipulating your potential customers into making a buying decision not entirely based on truth. Which in most people's language would be considered highly disrespectful.

Of course, some will disagree but surely even you can see the inherent danger in doing this? No?

For by the very nature of offering a free version of your product in exchange for a review, you know full well you're playing on the persons emotions to have them say whatever it is you want them to say.

Someone on the other hand who has actually invested their hard earned money in your product, their honest opinion obviously carries a lot more weight.

Agree / disagree?

What are your thoughts about this?

Mark Andrews

It's just THE way of the Warrior Forum, of which YOU are a member.

You have a choice.

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Horny Devil

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Paul Myers

There is an important difference between a testimonial and a review. A testimonial talks about the results one gets from the product, while the review talks about the product itself.

Originally Posted by Horny Devil

It's just THE way of the Warrior Forum, of which YOU are a member.

It's a good way to get banned here is what it is. Get caught using fake reviews or testimonials and you'll find your offer gone, and probably your account here.

If you see them, report them.

Paul

I referred to others. I don't do WSO, IM products, reviews, etc, so subsequently have no testimonials or endorsements, fake or otherwise. If I ever do a WSO or request reviews at some future point my integrity would never allow me to effectively con other warriors simply for the sake of a quick financial fix.

As for reporting them, where do you start? There are so many wild claims and endorsements for products but no effective means of producing conclusive proof as to the validity - one way or the other. That said, I would assume that blatant fake endorsements would be pounced upon and reported by our more learned warriors anyway.

It's been said many times before on here that warriors should use due diligence. It's a learning curve for many on here and other IM forums in general. Those who cry wolf when they get their fingers burnt will know better next time.

.

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Paul Myers

12 years ago

Devil,

I was using the generic 'you.' That wasn't an accusation or personal warning. I would have thought that would be clear in the context.

As for reporting them, where do you start? There are so many wild claims and endorsements for products but no effective means of producing conclusive proof as to the validity - one way or the other.

If you have more to base it on than "Sounds like hype," use the report post function. We can often see things that aren't publicly available to back up such suspicions.

That said, you're right. It can be hard at times to support the jump from "I don't believe this" to "This is a lie."

Paul

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abbs

12 years ago

I've written a fake review or two for a bit of money. I am quite ashamed of it, but people who needed fake reviews were offering me good money to write and post them, and I really needed it.

I don't do that kind of work anymore, but it's quite amazing how many requests I get for review writing and posting jobs. I simply don't believe any reviews I read on the internet. I don't even bother reading them anymore.

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marketwarrior06

Banned 12 years ago

At the beginning you really need some fake reviews in your website about any product that you are selling. but after certain time i will write Honest reviews.

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cjreynolds

12 years ago

Originally Posted by marketwarrior06

At the beginning you really need some fake reviews in your website about any product that you are selling. but after certain time i will write Honest reviews.

So, it's like someone who steals or cheats for the money to start his business, and says "once I get this off the ground, it's gonna be legit - no more funny stuff!"

Integrity isn't something you can throw aside for convenience.

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Bambalina

12 years ago

It is a bad practice using fake reviews and some smart internet marketers use this thing and they think that they are smarter than others.

But in reality it is not so they are not smart as they are not going to earn millions of dollors as other internet marketers are earning and earned as they don't have anything to give quality work except showing false work as true work..

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laurencewins

12 years ago

If I see a product that sounds like it is worth reviewing, I will warn the author that I will give an honest review of the product.
I do draw a distinction with errors in punctuation and grammar and often give private comments regarding those kinds of mistakes as they are easily correctable.
However, if I don't like a product, I will say I don't because it is also my reputation on the line if I write a review because it may sway people to buy or not buy.

Thanks for bringing up such a controversial topic Mark.

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Mark Andrews

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by laurencewins

I do draw a distinction with errors in punctuation and grammar and often give private comments regardiung those kinds of mistakes as they are easily correctable.

Mark coughs politely regarding the spelling error above and grins at Laurence.

Sorry, couldn't resist lol.

Thanks everyone for your comments, you especially Michael. Me stirring the pot? Say it's not so. Lil old moi? Me?

Stirring the pot? Never!

Seriously, thanks for the comments so far, much appreciated. It's interesting to see different individual takes on the subject.

Keep 'em coming. I'll add my thoughts later perhaps. On a dongle at the moment and low battery power so having to keep it brief. Not much power going into my solar panels lately.

Thanks,

Mark Andrews

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laurencewins

12 years ago

And as usual, when I type too fast, like in posts, I sometimes make typos. Trust you Mark! LOL

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earnfast

12 years ago

I could not believe, so people do ask for fake review

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dadhere

12 years ago

I do a fair amount of reviews on the forum and I've actually
told 2 people their product needed more information or
better advice to make it on the forum. One of them does a fair amount of sales here. The other, truthfully, the product sucked. I think it was a lazy attempt at a money grab. But I did the best to help them as to how to improve the product.

If a review is solid and balanced I see no harm in the product owners asking for reviews from seasoned (500 posts etc.) members. I think it helps them

my 2 sense...

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OrangeBull

12 years ago

It's a violation of FTC RULES DON'T do it!

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WillR

12 years ago

Asking for a review does NOT make the review fake. Provided the person giving that review gives their honest opinion then it's no different to any other testimonial or review. I also don't agree with giving away free copies of products to entice reviews because those people do not have the same financial investment in the product therefore their value expectations are lower. But you can't just label all reviews that have been asked for as fake because it's not always the case. It's the content of the review that determines whether or not it is fake. If someone has given their real, honest, unbiased opinion then the review is real. If not, then it's misleading -- I wouldn't use the word 'fake' though. That's a different thing altogether. Fake would be when someone fabricates a review for their own product.

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onlinesolutions1985

12 years ago

It's so sad to see products being praised as if it is the best product in the world yet in reality it is pure crap recycled over again. Some go for fake reviews to get quick sale. For those who want to have a stable business and do see to it there is room for improvement for their products, going for honest to goodness reviews will be ideal.

I, for one, does not want having fake reviews. What good these reviews are if they don't explain in pure black and white the pros and cons of the product I am selling. It would be detrimental to me instead of bringing in more benefits.

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cjreynolds 12 years ago

It's the whole "fake it till you make it" attitude - if you haven't made money online, say you have and eventually you will, then you won't be lying. If nobody has had time to review your product, say they have (put up a fake review), and eventually some real reviews will come in and you won't have to lie anymore.

That's no way to do business.
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- Ronin X 12 years ago
  
  Fake Reviews! Many product owners release products to their list first and use their list as way to get reviews. Or they do a pre-launch with webinars to get their product out in the hands of the public so that they can get feedback. The true businessman do this to improve the product not just get reviews it's only common since. Create quality products and you'll have customers for life.
  
  Ronin X
  
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  Ronnie44 12 years ago
  
  I don't think there's anything wrong with asking for a review, asking for a positive review however is a different matter. The onus is on the reviewers integrity, because if you leave a good review for a product you know is rubbish, you become an accessory to the crime.
  
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contentwriting360

Banned 12 years ago

'Fake Reviews' is a big no-no. It ruins the credibility of the product and the reputation of the product creator/owner. People are wiser these days. Even if your sales page has thousands of glowing reviews, anyone knows that one can buy or exchange reviews these days.

I think it also helps if one will let know/inform the public how do they acquire reviews on their 'Testimonials' page. Comments, feedbacks, reviews, testimonials or whatever you want to call it, play an important role in our Quality Assurance processes. That's one way of knowing our 'big rocks' or opportunities for improvement. Informing the public about our survey mechanisms will help them realize that the reviews on our website are real. That's what we exactly do.

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FXdarling

12 years ago

Unfortunately internet if full of cheating and scams. Fake reviews is a part of it and I find it less of a "crime" than those services that take money and don't provide the product or services.

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Affiliate Sidekick

12 years ago

I feel many sites use fake reviews, not that I have proof, mainly hard sales pages and squeeze pages seem to have that general feel to reviews.

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stevenh512

12 years ago

Asking for reviews is not the same as asking for fake reviews, and it's definitely not something that only happens in the IM crowd.

My brother reviews books (novels and comic books), the authors and publishers send him free review copies of their books (the comics are typically PDFs he's allowed to download, the novels are paperback books mailed to him). As long as their book is worth reading, they're generally pretty happy to get an honest review from him even if it isn't 100% positive. If they asked him for a fake review, he wouldn't even bother to read their book much less waste his time writing the review.

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icoachu

12 years ago

There are many variations to fake reviews. Others are also the product of "exchanging favors." Be very careful.

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infinityplr

12 years ago

Some people, marketers to be exact, to this for the sake of the profit. As long as they can sell, they would do any technique to get a sale. But, yeah somehow i understand your point. If you are the author of the ebook you are marketing then the credibility and and market value of the book may be compromised if you get it a fake review just to have it get sold.

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Paul Myers 12 years ago

There is an important difference between a testimonial and a review. A testimonial talks about the results one gets from the product, while the review talks about the product itself.

Devil,

It's just THE way of the Warrior Forum, of which YOU are a member.

It's a good way to get banned here is what it is. Get caught using fake reviews or testimonials and you'll find your offer gone, and probably your account here.

If you see them, report them.

Paul
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Bill Hugall

12 years ago

I have never seen a review thread where the person offering a review copy actually receives 40 reviews, yet most offers these days tend to have about 40 in their sales copy.

There is no way that those reviews are real. It is almost like they have taken the place of Googled screen shots. I don't even look at screen shots or reviews in a sales copy. I tend to wait a week or so and see what actual buyers say! We have to take everyone at face value. Warrior plus helps me to make my choices as well. People lie everywhere.

I like to see the "already 2500 sold" and warrior plus says like 2 sold then a bunch of glowing reviews, some awesome screen shots, then the sales copy.

Whatever happened to a good sales copy? For some reason this works and I would put money on the fact that the WSO's that have 40 reviews to start out get more sales than those that have one or 2.

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lgibbon

Banned 12 years ago

I've never taken much notice of them, thought they were just part of the sales lingo.
Never thought any of them were actually for real.
There's one person that's appeared in just about every IM product ever created.
They would have to be over 300 years old to actually have gone through them all.

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Michael Oksa

12 years ago

Originally Posted by lgibbon

I've never taken much notice of them, thought they were just part of the sales lingo.
Never thought any of them were actually for real.
There's one person that's appeared in just about every IM product ever created.
They would have to be over 300 years old to actually have gone through them all.

That leaves one question...

When are they going to release "Secrets of the Fountain of Youth: How to Live to Be 300 and Get Lots of Free Products by Writing Reviews"?

~M~

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