Submitted by Rona_Gura on

Relying On Online Reviews

Categories
Lifestyle

How much credibility do you give to online reviews?  If I am going to a restaurant or hotel for the first time I will, generally, look through the online reviews.

 

But my personal experience has been that people are much quicker to write about negative experiences rather than positive ones. I am uncertain what it is about the internet that can bring out the negativity in people. My own individual theory is that it is the anonymity aspect of the online forum. I personally find that many more negative reviews are anonymous.

 

For that reason, I tend to discount the reliability of negative reviews and put more weight on positive reviews. What about you?

Comments

Daniel Schwartz

As an advid on line reviewer, I try to be honest by posting positive and negative aspects of my visit. I will often point out what stood out but also what may have been an issue. I am aware of smaller establishments that rely on such reviews and will sometimes give a second chance or update a review if things change on the next visit. I often rely myself on such reviews to help guide my choices when searching for a place to dine out.
Tessa Marquis

I don't trust online reviews...I trust referrals from someone at the next table (or barstool) in a place where I am having a good meal. If they are where I am, having a good time, feeling deliciousness and a good vibe from the "staff", then we are on the same wavelength and their recommendations are golden.
Of course, if I am about to visit a town or city I haven't been to, I just ask for recommendations via Fredslist!
Robert Intelisano

I do look at reviews from certain sources with a grain of salt of course. The NYT Pete Wells 100 best restaurants and others ranking pizza. I search out both negative and positive reviews mostly to see which dishes/slices are most popular then try them for myself.
Nancy Schess

That's a tough question. It is so easy to intentionally trash a business with sometimes nefarious reasons. Sorry for the cynical thoughts this evening.

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