We’re big fans of reviews here at Sitejabber (of course!). They can point you towards fantastic finds and warn you away from potential pitfalls. But with so much content out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re unsure if the information you’re reading is true and reliable.
Fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. agency responsible for protecting consumers from unfair and deceptive practices, has got our backs. They understand the power of reviews and have established regulations to ensure they’re honest and trustworthy.
What are the FTC’s regulations on online reviews?
The FTC shares all about its position on deceptive reviews in its Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. While it’s written primarily for businesses to follow, these guides also explain what makes a review suspicious from a consumer perspective.
Basically, it’s all about keeping things truthful: people can’t pretend to have tried something they haven’t, or get sneaky about their relationship with a company. For example, it’s illegal to:
- Write fake reviews yourself or pay others to do so
- Post reviews about products you haven’t used
- Misrepresent your affiliation with a company or product
- Claim personal benefits for writing a positive review
How does the FTC protect consumers from shady reviews?
1. Creating Regulations: As mentioned above, the FTC has established policies for customer reviews. And the fight against inappropriate use of reviews is ongoing – the FTC recently held an informal hearing on banning fake reviews and testimonials.
2. Taking Action Against Deceptive Practices: The FTC doesn’t hesitate to investigate companies or individuals suspected of manipulating online reviews. This means lawsuits, fines, and other actions aimed at deterring dishonest practices.
3. Educating Consumers: The FTC offers tons of valuable resources so everyone can be a safe consumer – which includes being informed readers of online reviews.
How does Sitejabber contribute to this effort?
At Sitejabber, we take the FTC’s regulations seriously and actively strive to provide a platform for genuine and transparent reviews. Here’s how we participate:
- Verifying User Identity: We require users to register and verify their email addresses before submitting reviews, which helps deter anonymity-driven fake reviews.
- Encouraging Detailed Descriptions: We encourage users to write detailed and specific reviews using a character/word minimum, making it more difficult for generic or misleading reviews to pass through.
- Monitoring for Suspicious Activity: We use automated tools and conduct manual reviews to identify potentially deceptive activity and investigate suspicious reviews promptly.
- Enabling User Reporting: Users can easily flag reviews they believe are fake or misleading, allowing us to take appropriate action.
By working together with the FTC and adhering to their regulations, platforms like Sitejabber can create a more secure and trustworthy online environment for consumers like you.
And remember, being a critical reader is key. Use your judgment and report any suspected cases of deceptive reviews. Together, we can ensure that online reviews remain a valuable resource for informed shopping decisions.
