Before you buy anything online, it’s always a good idea to do a little research first.
That’s where online reviews really come in handy.
But since anyone, anywhere, can write whatever they want about a product, how can you tell
which reviews to trust?
Well, there’s no sure fire way to tell if a review is honest or fake 100% of the time,
but if you’re aware of some of the trends in reviews, you should have an easier time
deciding which ones to trust and which ones to discount.
Generally when you’re looking through reviews, it’s a good idea to read through at least
a dozen, and from multiple websites if you can.
It may sound like a lot, but it’s worth it.
You better your chances of reading more of the genuine ones.
This way too, it’ll be easier to spot trends in reviews.
For example, if you’re looking at reviews for a restaurant and see that several reviewers
have said that the food is great but the service is slow, that could be a good tip off.
When comparing reviews, it’s also a good idea to make a note of the date the reviewer
posted their comment.
A review from a couple years ago with a specific complaint may not be relevant anymore.
Round out your search by making sure you’re looking at recent reviews as well.
Take star ratings with a grain of salt.
Someone could have been paid to give that hotel a five-star rating… or maybe someone
gave that restaurant three stars – not because anything was bad, but just because it didn’t
totally blow them away.
Just remember to look at the details in the comments as well.
Speaking of details in the comments, you’ll probably see a range when it comes to the
sort of language people use in their reviews.
Some may seem rather vague… while others note every detail...
Some may seem glowingly positive… while others will give scathing reviews…
If you read enough, you’ll see it all.
And if all else fails, skip the user reviews and look to qualified, third-party reviews
written by experts if you can.
Whatever you decide to do, when you do visit that restaurant, buy that product, or use
that service, make sure to come back to give your honest take on the experience.