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Did you know as many as 1 in 3 reviews online could be fake?
And not just on shady sites. Even the “trusted” ones are full of bots, bribes, and paid praise. But there’s a pattern—and once you know what to look for, you can dodge the fakes like a checkout ninja. Let’s get into it.
The Impact of Fake Reviews on Consumer Trust
Fake reviews can seriously mess with consumer trust. If people encounter fake reviews, they’re less likely to buy from that platform again. It’s like online shopping becomes a game of chance. Nobody wants that.
If you can’t tell what’s real, you might end up with a product as useful as an umbrella with holes.
About We Tried It’s Review Process
In all honesty, we get approached a lot to review new items that we really don’t care about or need in our lives. Everything we write about, we review. It’s that simple.
Sure, sometimes brands provide us product for free, but that doesn’t stop us from giving you our honest opinion. We’ve got a full time gig that pays the bills, this one is just for fun.
“This Product Changed My Life!” — And 7 Other Review Red Flags to Watch For
You know the type: a product with only five-star reviews, every single one sounds like it was written by the same person hopped up on espresso and buzzwords. “Best purchase ever!” “Game changer!” “Saved my marriage!”
Whoa. That’s a lot for a sock organizer.
Fake reviews are everywhere—from no-name kitchen gadgets to heavily hyped Instagram finds. And while we love a good deal as much as the next person, we’ve learned (the hard way) that sometimes those glowing reviews are just a mirage in a desert of disappointment.
So how do you spot the phonies before your wallet regrets it? Here are the top red flags that scream, “I was written by a bot—or someone’s cousin.”
🚩 1. Review Clusters (aka the “One-Day Wonder”)
If 45 five-star reviews all showed up on the same Tuesday afternoon? Yeah, that’s not organic. That’s a coordinated review drop. Run.
🚩 2.Suspiciously Repetitive Language
If every review says “sleek, modern, durable, and easy to use”… congrats, you’ve stumbled into the Great Copy-Paste Jungle.
Real humans say weird stuff like:
“Kinda flimsy but held my nachos during Top Gun: Maverick so… 4 stars.”
That’s how you know it’s real.
🚩 3. Overly Polished Photos
Nobody’s bathroom countertop is that clean. If the “customer” photo looks like a product ad, it probably is. We trust slightly blurry images with weird angles 1000% more than perfect stock-photo energy.
Note: we’re a bit guilty of overly-polished photos, but that’s because our home is usually SUPER clean.
Yes, our house is really like this most of the time.
How to Use Verified Purchase Indicators
Keep an eye out for verified purchase badges next to reviews. These little markers mean the reviewer really bought the item, making the review more believable.
Websites like Amazon use badges to help you spot genuine feedback. Trusting verified reviews means less buyer’s remorse and more confidence in your cart.
🚩 4. Extreme Ratings (All or Nothing)
If it’s ALL five stars or ALL one star with no middle ground, take a pause. Real reviews include nuance like:
“Loved it, but the handle smells like pickles when it gets hot.”
That’s honesty you can buy into.
🚩 5. Reviewer Has One Review… Ever
Click the name. If “HappyMom4321” only reviewed this one $29 Bluetooth speaker and nothing else ever? Hmm. Either she just got internet access last week, or someone’s gaming the system.
Recognizing Authentic Reviewer Profiles
Check out the reviewer’s profile for more clues. If they have a history of varied reviews, that’s a good sign.
A mix of positive, negative, and detailed feedback means they’re probably real. It’s like getting advice from a friend who has tried a bit of everything.
🚩 6. Vague Praise with No Details
“Excellent product!” “Highly recommend!” Okay, why though? Did it survive a toddler meltdown? Pass the spouse test? Help you win a silent disco?
No story = no trust.
🚩 7. Mentions of Freebies or Discounts
If someone says, “I received this in exchange for an honest review,” it’s at least honest. But let’s be real—people rarely bite the hand that bribes them with 20% off.
If you see this, look for any critical points of the product or service. Nothing is perfect for everyone. It’s just that simple.
Tools and Extensions for Detecting Fake Reviews
There are handy tools like Fakespot and ReviewMeta that analyze reviews for authenticity. They scan patterns to spot fakes and rank trustworthiness of reviews.
Using these tools is like having a lie detector for online shopping. They help you figure out if it’s a deal or just a dud.
✋ Final Tip
When in doubt, trust your gut. And maybe check Reddit. If a product’s legit, people love talking about it off the brand’s website, too.
Now go forth, shop smart, and may your packages never arrive smelling like burnt toast.
Now, check out some of our We Tried It Reviews:
