Think about those reviews that mean so much to you when considering whether to purchase a particular product or a service …
It could be that the comments you’re reading are bogus – or at least not based on the reviewer’s first-hand experience.
An online survey of nearly 1,200 U.S. adults age 18 and older, conducted by marketing research firm YouGov in January 2014, found that more than one in five respondents admitted to having posted online reviews about products or services they hadn’t actually bought or used.
The percentage is somewhat higher for men (~23%) than it is for women (~17%).
Why do people post reviews or comments on products and services they haven’t tried? Here’s what the survey respondents reported:
- “Just felt like it”: ~32% gave this reason
- “Didn’t like the idea of the product”: ~22%
- “Didn’t like the manufacturer”: ~19%
These stats might suggest that there are more “negative” reviews being posted online than what reflects the actual experience with the product or service.
But the YouGov survey also found that far more people leave good reviews than bad ones:
- ~57% have left a mixed review
- ~54% have left a good review
- Only ~21% have ever left a bad review
What drives someone to leave a bad review? The #1 reason is obvious … but the #2 reason might surprise you. And the #3 reason is just mercenary:
- ~88% want to warn others about a disappointing product or service
- ~23% believe that venting their frustrations will leave them feeling less angry
- ~21% are hoping to get a refund or some other monetary consideration from the company in question
The veracity of online reviews is important because the vast majority of adult consumers check them before deciding to purchase a product or service.
This YouGov survey is no different: It found that ~79% consult reviews at least sometimes … and ~26% reported that they “always” check reviews before buying a product or service.
The YouGov report comes hard on the heels of a Virginia lawsuit wherein a carpet cleaning service charged online review website Yelp with publishing negative reviews posted by people who had never been customers of the store. The cleaning service claimed that the negative reviews had hurt its business.
In that case, a judge ordered Yelp to reveal the identities of the seven “anonymous” reviewers — who I’m sure never thought their “unidentified antics” would ultimately be revealed for all the world to see.
It may just be that posting a “faux” review has now become a little riskier.
People may think twice now before engaging in their little mischief. I’m sure most of them can think of a lot better things to do than to be hauled into court for an alleged infraction like that — or at the very least, having their name brought into the legal proceedings.
Nones Notes 
I’m always astonished by the greed of people.
My family and I were dining recently at a restaurant that has demonstrated consistent quality and service for more than a decade. The couple next to us were served the same food in about the same amount of time that we did. When the waitress came with the bill, the man at the table griped loudly about the worst meal and service that he ever had.
He seemed like a professional complainer to me. I suspected that he was fishing for a reduced bill.
So I guess I’m not surprised that people do this online as well.
I wonder if the same people who had posted fake reviews because they “just felt like it” would actually mind being outted about it. Maybe it’s exposure they crave.