25 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
25 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Amazon Review Sites and posting review dates - is it necessary?

by madelyndon
21 replies
So I was thinking about dates on Amazon review sites and comparing it to what I do on my blog. I removed the dates on my blog because I didn't want people to dismiss older content and just didn't feel dates were necessary for my niche.

I'm thinking the same thing with the Amazon review sites. I don't want someone to come see a product and not want to look at my review because it is older. I know that personally, when I shop on Amazon and then look for reviews I don't like to look at old reviews. Even if it is an older product and the review might be relevant, the old date is a turn off.

Do you think it is better not to have dates for your reviews?
#amazon #dates #posting #review #sites
  • Profile picture of the author slomo
    Hello
    I also look at the dates of the reviews when i am looking for products online.
    If you remove the dates of your post keep in mind that there will be also the dates from the comments if you include them
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6945061].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sleika
      in todays need the most current information world i would avoid putting dates on my posts

      would you read a book or review about SEO from 6 months ago ?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6945197].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
        Originally Posted by Sleika View Post

        in todays need the most current information world i would avoid putting dates on my posts

        would you read a book or review about SEO from 6 months ago ?
        Using the topic of SEO is a very bad example because it changes so often. The Pioneer x17 Home Stereo doesn't change. A review posted 6 months ago is just as valid as one posted 10 minutes ago.
        Signature
        Want a REAL Online Business That's Fun to Run?
        CLICK HERE FOR INFO
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6946398].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Sleika
          Originally Posted by wolfmmiii View Post

          Using the topic of SEO is a very bad example because it changes so often. The Pioneer x17 Home Stereo doesn't change. A review posted 6 months ago is just as valid as one posted 10 minutes ago.
          your right , the review is valid and SEO was a bad example, but people do look at dates, i know i do and thats why the question was asked .. if i go to someones site or amazon for that matter and the last review is year old or the their copyright at the bottom is outdated, thats a red flag to get out of there ... not saying the information isnt correct but i know personally as the OP said its a turn off
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6946683].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author contentwriting360
    Banned
    I can't agree more with wolfmmiii. The impression that the date thingy makes when it come to reviews depends on the product or service. For something that is expected to evolve every month or so, dates may be a turn off, but not for products that do not change even after a year or so.

    Most of our clients who order product reviews from us are not so concerned about the dates on their posts. Really not. It is because the products they are promoting do not change even years after.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6946472].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    I'm a bit distrustful of product reviews without a date. I tend to assume that the date was removed to conceal the fact that the review is outdated.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6946530].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
    I personally don't even look at a date when I'm looking at a product review, knowing that the product hasn't changed at all.
    Signature
    Want a REAL Online Business That's Fun to Run?
    CLICK HERE FOR INFO
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6946705].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by Sleika View Post

      your right , the review is valid and SEO was a bad example, but people do look at dates, i know i do and thats why the question was asked .. if i go to someones site or amazon for that matter and the last review is year old or the their copyright at the bottom is outdated, thats a red flag to get out of there ... not saying the information isnt correct but i know personally as the OP said its a turn off
      An old copyright date usually just means the site has been around awhile, not that a given post is old. When I do a new site, the copyright date is the date the site first goes public because I want that protection for everything for as long as possible.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6947242].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Sleika
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        An old copyright date usually just means the site has been around awhile, not that a given post is old. When I do a new site, the copyright date is the date the site first goes public because I want that protection for everything for as long as possible.
        also implies diligence is not being maintained, look at any respected authority site and can almost guarantee there copyright is updated

        even if it is when a site first goes public you would see something along the lines of 2010 to 2012, not just 2010
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6947487].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
    The fact is, though, most average visitors pay no attention to it. They don't even know what it is.
    Signature
    Want a REAL Online Business That's Fun to Run?
    CLICK HERE FOR INFO
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6947740].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sleika
      Originally Posted by wolfmmiii View Post

      The fact is, though, most average visitors pay no attention to it. They don't even know what it is.
      thats fine at all, but your trying at least to appeal to all buyers and not discern at all, the newer generation is way more aware of being scammed online and pay attention to detail ... not a chance in hell im entering my credit card on a site that cant be bothered to update there copyright

      give the " average " user some credit, they are checkin things out, updating your copyright or removing a date to make the post/site have the appearance of being current is probably not a bad thing

      it is going to depened on where they are in the buying cycle but if you catch them at beginning your not doing yourself a favour of having the appearance of an outdated post/site
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6948867].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author dfs_dean
        Originally Posted by Sleika View Post

        thats fine at all, but your trying at least to appeal to all buyers and not discern at all, the newer generation is way more aware of being scammed online and pay attention to detail ... not a chance in hell im entering my credit card on a site that cant be bothered to update there copyright

        give the " average " user some credit, they are checkin things out, updating your copyright or removing a date to make the post/site have the appearance of being current is probably not a bad thing

        it is going to depened on where they are in the buying cycle but if you catch them at beginning your not doing yourself a favour of having the appearance of an outdated post/site
        Got a good reference for that claim, or is it just something that you thought sounded good? I wouldn't consider myself part of the "newer generation" but wild claims or misleading statements do get my attention.

        Peace
        Signature
        Find something to enjoy about reality. It's not going to go away.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6949935].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author dfs_dean
          Of course, if you have dates on your review posts, and you are worried about the reviews looking out of date, you could always revisit the reviews periodically. Revise if necessary. Then put "Updated on xxx" at the top so visitors know you try to keep your information current.

          Peace
          Signature
          Find something to enjoy about reality. It's not going to go away.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6949956].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author murtagh
            Look at it from a consumer point of view by putting yourself in a customer's shoes...

            When you visit a site and decide to make a purchase, do YOU look at the date and find it relevant?

            I think you'll get your answer
            Signature
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950111].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
              Originally Posted by Sleika View Post

              also implies diligence is not being maintained, look at any respected authority site and can almost guarantee there copyright is updated

              even if it is when a site first goes public you would see something along the lines of 2010 to 2012, not just 2010
              I usually just code this into the templates, so I don't even think about it. I don't see it as attention to detail, I see it as a properly coded theme or template that updates itself without attention.

              Since not having the current year does mean something to you, more than it means to me, there's no sense arguing over it.

              Originally Posted by wolfmmiii View Post

              The fact is, though, most average visitors pay no attention to it. They don't even know what it is.
              You're probably right...
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6950956].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author galmiar
    If the product is the same and not a newer version than i don't think that you need to worrry about it too much if it is easier to just leave it in.

    I personally don't mind seeing older dates. It may only look odd on your site if there are loads posted around the same time, then a massove time gap and another load all with the same date, then it wouldn't make the reviews look very genuine.

    But by having dates it may look more natural and convicing. With no dates people may not think your reviews are being constantly updated and could assume that they were all just posted at the same time and left... hmmm

    Hope this makes sense and hasn't confused you. :/
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6948269].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author pro31lady
      I think it can be a toss up - some people are going to get turned off if they see the review is a year old - and others won't care.

      It may depend on the product though - electronics change quickly and it may be that an older review may make someone wonder if the product is outdated. But on something like a kid's wagon - a 2 year old review won't make that much difference.

      So I would go with what is easiest to do, what you think looks the best on your site and the nature of the product you are promoting.

      Just my 2 cents.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6948764].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IMSince2003
    If you have a review site on items that change rather frequently like digital cameras, as an example and you have 10 posts dated near the same time in 2007 then you might want to remove the dates. If you are going to update the site with new models on a consistent basis, then the dates can only serve to help you.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6948882].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author outNabout
    am trying to put myself in the shoes of a visitor to a review website,if i read the review and am impressed by the product i will not mind about the dates..may be if you review products that sell with certain season but normally.
    Signature
    Just do it
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6948917].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
    If the product is still in production, then the review is relevant. If you have comments turned on, then the date is left anyway unless you remove that as well, which will then make the whole thing look manipulated. The best way to overcome this concern is to stay on top of the market, and keep reviewing the latest products. Then its like a production line, as one product & review becomes outdated, you have another to take its place.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6948960].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author zaco
      I don't use dates on my reviews as I see it a turn off, you will get different opinions on this subject but from my experience when I buy from Amazon I look for the latest dates for few reasons:

      1) Maybe the company changed their suppliers and they are using parts from other suppliers than the ones they used a year ago so that might change the whole user experience

      2) Some products on Amazon ship from 3rd party sellers, some of these sellers will resell the returned products that people complained about, it happened to me few times ( not on Amazon) but I want to see the most 3 recent reviews to make sure they were satisfied

      3) Shipping - 3rd party sellers are usually slow when it comes to shipping, so if the review is 1 year old then it might be not that accurate but if its few months old and users said that it took the product a month to be delivered then I wont buy it.

      So if there is no date on the review then it wont make a huge difference and once they go to Amazon they will look for the latest reviews.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6949890].message }}

Trending Topics