Fake Reviews: How to Fight Them and Protect Your Brand

In a world where 93 percent of consumers rely on online reviews to decide where to spend, per a Igniyte meta-report, negative reviews can present a genuine threat to your business. Especially so for consumers trying to figure out which restaurant to try next.

Unfortunately, fake reviews are common, and your need to deal with them is more likely a “when” than an “if.” Actual figures vary per sector as well as platform type. For instance, Amazon itself has reported that 64 percent of supplement reviews on its website were fake, per Statista. Data aggregated by the World Economic Forum suggests that review platforms self-report that approximately four percent of reviews are fake, on average.

Fake reviews are a particular problem in the restaurant business. Nobody heads to a venue they think will serve them a bad meal. Furthermore, any suggestions of issues with hygiene and food safety raise a serious red flag to new and established customers. 

Unjust and untrue feedback…