No More Fake Reviews - So Who’s Gonna Tell Us What To Buy?


Very interesting and with a fairly profound impact on our audiophile community:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-rule-banning-fake-reviews-testimonials

Some strong language in the ruling. How are some of our YouTubers going to be able to sustain their channels without gifted products?

 

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I may be wrong, but my guess is this is an attempt to weed out the 4,217 positive reviews tomorrows' newly introduced gadget gets on the day of introduction, all posted by bots from different IP addresses in the first few hours the product has existed.  Amazon, et. al. are going to be, if not already, rife with this nonsense.  

Personally, I tend to read the 1-star reviews first, as they are least likely to be fake, although often over represented since moderately satisfied folks are usually more sanguine, and don't bellow their feelings as often.  

Unfortunately, a lot of reviewers will see a change in the nature of their revenue stream.  Hopefully, the market will adjust.  I remember when I was working in a small HI-Fi shop back in the 70's and one key reason I worked there was to get  50% off retail from almost every line we represented.  Working for a couple of bucks an hour plus commission, that was a major incentive, and items I purchased were chosen after extensive in-store comparitive demo'ing of the exact item. There were also "spiffs" where extra commission was paid on occasion to highlight certain items, but if a product wasn't a good one, it wouldn't be in our store in any case.

I still have most of those purchases which were based on weeks, not hours of evaluation.  The market moves too fast today to allow such luxuries except on a forum like this where the discussions are only "tainted" by the difference in hearing ability and personal taste, as it should be.  If you love Wilson, you may not choose a set of Mag's for your second system, but that does not mean either are "bad", just different, and perhaps each is best for the listening environment it serves in. As always, YMMV.

@cleeds I think 'consumer reviews' means reviews for the consumer not specifically 'reviews by a consumer', so professional reviewers generate consumer reviews and are affected by the ruling. You could also consider that many consumers who are unpaid generate reviews, but I can't see a situation where a consumer who isn't being paid for the review could do or say anything that would lead to prosecution by the FTC.
As far as I can see it's mostly positive on the side of us, the consumer, and the only downside I can foresee is the loss of some of the reviewers' channels on youtube, etc, when they figure out that it just isn't worth the risk and they don't have enough traffic to support other means to generate revenue. But what the heck do I know.. lol.

 

 

I think 'consumer reviews' means reviews for the consumer not specifically 'reviews by a consumer', so professional reviewers generate consumer reviews and are affected by the ruling ...

There's nothing to suggest your interpretation of the FTC announcement. The ruling addresses "Fake Reviews and Testimonials" and is explicit:

 

"Fake or False Consumer Reviews, Consumer Testimonials, and Celebrity Testimonials: The final rule addresses reviews and testimonials that misrepresent that they are by someone who does not exist."

You're reading w-a-y too much into this ruling.

Reviews make good bathroom reading.... If I can't see it and hear it in person I am generally not interested.  Lack of in home demo or decent return policy is usually a deal breaker for me.  

I actually prefer reading about how great something is that I just bought NOT based on a review but by hands on,  real world listening .