How to Spot a Fake Review – And Why It Matters More Than Ever

We’ve all done it. You’re about to book a hotel or buy a new gadget, and the first thing you do is check the reviews. Glowing feedback, five stars across the board and hundreds of people saying the same thing – it must be good, right? Not necessarily. In the age of online shopping and digital influence, fake reviews have become a booming industry. Learning to spot them could save you money, time and a lot of disappointment.

Fake reviews are everywhere – from online marketplaces to restaurant listings and travel websites. Sometimes they’re written by bots. Sometimes they’re bought and paid for by companies looking to boost their ratings or damage a competitor. Either way, they are designed to mislead. And the consequences can be frustrating or even dangerous, especially when it comes to products that impact your health or finances.

So how do you spot the fakes?

1. Watch out for overly positive language
If a review sounds too good to be true, it often is. Be wary of repetitive phrases like “amazing product” or “best ever” with little detail to back them up. Genuine reviewers usually mention specifics – how they used the item, how it compares to others or even minor flaws. Fake reviews often feel generic, like a sales pitch rather than personal experience.

2. Look at the timing
Are there dozens of glowing reviews all posted on the same day? That’s a red flag. Genuine reviews come in steadily over time. A sudden flood of praise could suggest a paid review campaign or incentivised responses.

3. Check the reviewer’s profile
Click on the name. If someone has only ever reviewed one product – or reviewed dozens of unrelated items in a short space of time – that should raise suspicion. Real customers tend to leave feedback based on genuine experiences, not just random praise across every category.