How much of what you read is real?
Does social media influence your decisions?
How do reviews and hype influence what choices we make?
How Social Media & Hype Influence Us
Do you ever rely on reviews to help you make decisions about purchasing items or services online?
I frequently rely on reviews on TripAdvisor, Amazon or other websites to help me choose one product or service over another. I’ve been reading about how many reviews online are fake and created to ensure a higher ranking on Amazon or TripAdvisor.
Did you know there two websites created to help you spot and separate fake reviews from the real ones? Fakespot and Review Meta analyze online products and reviews so you can weed out the fake from the real.
Do You Trust Your Own Senses?
A friend shared some interesting videos with me recently that I’d like to share with you. The first one is about fabricating a fake restaurant in London and creating enough hype to achieve a number one ranking on TripAdvisor. This is the video…
They managed to achieve the number one ranking beating out eighteen thousand other restaurants without ever serving a single customer.
After they achieved the number one spot they decided to create a real life restaurant in the prankster’s garden. The food served was terrible, cup-o-soup and frozen ready-made lasagne dressed up to look fancy and yet people continued to rave about the restaurant even after having sampled the subpar cuisine. People no longer trusted their senses above what they read online.
Do You Form Your Own Opinions?
The next video was about creating a fake model for fashion week wearing the most ridiculous items they could think of which included some plastic air filled packing bags and prison shoes…
This proved again that people are gullible and easily influenced when forming opinions. It is twenty nineteen’s version of the Emperor’s New Clothes.
The Most Important Item When You Get Dressed Is Confidence
A positive take away from this prank is something we all know, if you have enough confidence you can wear anything.
If you walk around like you own the place no one will question you or your choices.
Are you influenced by online reviews, negative or positive?
Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl
I am very disappointed by the amount of fake info out there. I look for reviews on mainstream media, where they buy the stuff themselves and don’t take freebies, although every now and then I will note something from a blogger who swears they use the stuff and aren’t doing a sponsored post.
I recently listened to a podcast about Consumer Reports’ best car list. They have a budget to go out and buy cars, and they don’t give any hints that they are with Consumer Reports. Afterwards, the dealers are shocked, saying, well, I would have given you a better deal if I had known. But the point is, what does the average, unconnected consumer experience? So I support these kinds of newspapers and magazines with my subscriptions.
The other thing about online reviews is WTF. Our AirBnBs have gotten solid 5-star reviews, except from one eccentric guy who stayed in and cooked all the time and complained that we didn’t have enough fancy knives. That was two years ago. Why is his review always among the first anybody sees, when dozens (hundreds? close) of other guests have come since and have raved positively–and they’ve found the knife situation more than adequate? I’ve heard about people who had AirBnB guests who threatened very bad reviews unless the host gave them a kickback in cash. Then what? Craziness.
I have another friend that also had one negative review which they felt ruined their online reputation. The damage that one negative review can do is devastating.
That is insane that an AirBnB guest was threatening blackmail! It does feel like things have gotten out of hand, especially when you see those two videos.
It’s true that one-third to one-half of online reviews are fake. Just as bad are honest but stupid reviews left by people whose opinion shouldn’t be respected. For example, I use Yelp all the time to scope out restaurants when travelling. Even the best places have a few pans by customers who shouldn’t be listened to. (E.g., I arrived at 7 pm on Saturday night without a reservation and they made me wait!”) These unreliable opinions and fake ones taught me early to be critical and cautious of what I read on the ‘net. I’ll collect information (e.g., the wire is too short) but not listen to subjective views (e.g., the waitress was rude).
I agree that many people are simply unreasonable.
I agree with Taste of France and Ally: there is too much fake reviewing to take the internets seriously! Having said that, I have to thank you for posting those two hilarious vids.
And I agree with your observation that confidence is the key. My dad used to tell me to walk into meetings like I was the CEO. Good advice for boosting confidence.
And how gorgeous are you in this leather skirt and feminine blouse? Very. xox
Will you be wearing some air filled packing bags the next time I see you? ; P
For a long time I rarely bought a Vogue magazine because in my view the fashion was just too: contrived? outrageous? expensive? uncomfortable? bazaar?
ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!!!
I concluded that many designers actually hated women and this was their revenge. It was all at once disrespectful of women but also skillfully illustrative of how easily women could be duped.
My fashion tastes have broadened. I often like things I’d never wear! I admire a novel, creative or even humorous approach to style. BUT! I still have critical thinking skills and the admittedly Midwestern, Bobbie Brookes attitudes, I grew up with so… 🙂 🙂
I LOVED both videos but they also scared me to death. What the hell happened to our expectation of and trust in the authenticity of our world? I know, it’s about individual perception but have we really just gotten so lazy about critical thinking that we just collapse into quick and easy ” group think”?
Aaargh!!!
To this day I wonder what the heck most high fashion shows are about. 80% of the items they show are completely unwearable. Don’t get me started on going without socks when it is -10C outside simply because it’s fashionable.
That’s the absolute perfect analogy of the Emperor’s New Clothes. I think we can all be influenced in some way, shape or form. Someone once told me that if you hear the same thing over and over at least 7 times, then you’ll believe it. Not that it’s necessarily true. Just that you believe it. Which makes me wonder about our “truths”.
Our world is crazy. But the more I read about history and such, it’s always been! It’s the people. People are crazy. And I’m a person….eeek!! So I guess you have to call me crazy!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Isn’t that interesting about hearing something seven times changing your personal belief. I guess that is what mass marketing is all about. Changing your views without you even knowing it.
How very apt that today is the 30th anniversary of the world wide web!
That’s very funny about the fake restaurant.
If I’m booking accommodation via Trip Advisor I tend to read the negative reviews rather than the positive ones as most people are far more inclined to make the effort to write a review if they’ve had a bad experience. Most if the time I end up in stitches, laughing at what trivialities constitute the “holiday from hell”. I actually booked a room once after several people complained that the staff abandoned their posts at night and all got drunk it the bar – we had the time of our lives!
What lovely Spring-like colours you’re wearing. It’s distinctly un-springlike here today. xxx
I also tend to read the negative reviews. The story about the drunk staff sounds like your ideal spot ; P
We have a taste of spring here today, above zero but I wish the mountains of snow and ice would melt faster. We’ve had too much snow this year and it makes everything a mess.
that thing with the fake restaurant does not surprise me!
esp. in the food sector people are very numb. they eat ready made meals since several generations at home and on the street. no one really knows how a veggi or a piece of meat taste – without all the added flavours, conservations, textures….. people can not tell a bad from a good restaurant without reading a review.
i take reviews on the net with tablespoons of salt, like i did it in the past with newspapers/mags. granny said “paper is very patient” – this applies for digital “paper” too.
stunning look!
xxxx
Isn’t it a shame that people haven’t been raised to know what real food tastes like?
I’d seen the fake restaurant video before, and watched it with growing apprehension. How can people be so shallow to continue raving about the restaurant even after having sampled the cuisine? How indeed can people be so shallow not to make up their own minds or having their own opinions on anything at all, and let their minds be ruled by reviews, whether real or fake. The amount of fake news/reviews out there is mind blowing and the worst of all is that most people can no longer distinguish between real and fake. That’s pretty scary! On another note, I adore your outfit: that amazing skirt, the skirt, those boots! And now I’m going to have a look – and probably a good laugh – at the other video you posted ! xxx
I hope you liked the other video Ann. I’ll be expecting you to wear some air filled packing bags in one of your upcoming posts ; P
Mmm, I never thought about this. So I did, and came to the conclusion that I never read reviews. Or perhaps sometimes I read them but I really don’t take the advice. I want to make up my own mind.
You are a rare bird Nancy. I do read online reviews for travel or resorts but now I’ll be testing them out on those two sites I mentioned before I make up my mind.
How hilarious those two spoof reviews were and yet how frightening!
I do read reviews of places to stay; holiday destinations, perfumes and make up – though I rarely buy the make up items that have been reviewed. I would, I think, also read the reviews if I was replacing an iron or a fridge for example. I’m thankful I will now be able to verify these reviews using the tools you suggest.
Thank you, Suzanne!
How hilarious those two spoof reviews were and yet how frightening!
I do read reviews of places to stay; holiday destinations, perfumes and make up – though I rarely buy the make up items that have been reviewed. I would, I think, also read the reviews if I was replacing an iron or a fridge for example. I’m thankful I will now be able to verify these reviews using the tools you suggest.
Thank you, Suzanne!
I read reviews but I remind myself that some may be written so that it talks positively about a product or location, etc. I try to be subjective but I also try to read between the lines if I could. I haven’t heard of these tools you mentioned though but I am glad for them. At least now I can’t be told, I told you so! I hope your week is going well so far and happy Friday!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
thanks for sharing this all with us! you rock the stripes!
kelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
I watched the videos with great pleasure, thank you.
And I agree, you have to keep thinking for yourself. Not accept that what others like, is what you need/want.
And your outfit is FAB.
Greetje
I thought the “fake model” was pretty funny. Some of the stuff on the runway is more ridiculous than the stuff he was wearing, but cost so much more money. The reviews I usually read are for tech stuff like phones, computers, and TVs. I will look at reviews for Air BnB and hotels, but as Vix pointed out, I often learn more from the negative reviews. Apparently I’m much more easy-going about my accommodations than many people.
Hi Suzanne
My hubby showed me Fakespot in regard to looking at Amazon reviews. I may check restauarant reviews, so when I read about the restaurant with the fake reviews, I wasn’t surprised! Often my hubby will want to look up Rotten Tomatoes or imdb, to see what a show or movie is like before we watch it. I often times just like to watch shows and form my own opinion.. it kind of ruins it for me if I look up the rating before had, as I can say if something sucks!
I am one to think I would rather form my own opinion. I do take reviews on Amazon with a grain of salt too.
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
This post was so fun and reinforces the obvious..
.. but we do need this reminder..because it is NOT always obvious..
Sometimes the outrageous is what passes for bold fashion.
Especially lately when drama seems to rank high on the chic
checklist.
Love your blue skirt and striped blouse with The dramatic sleeves !
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/