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null - A federal rule banning fake online reviews went into effect Monday.
In August, the Federal Trade Commission issued a rule prohibiting the sale or purchase of online reviews. Under the rule, the agency can also seek civil penalties against individuals who violate it.
According to the AP, the rule bans reviews and testimonials credited to people who do not exist or are manufactured by artificial intelligence, individuals who do not have experience with the business or product/services or misrepresent their experience.
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The rule also bars companies from creating or selling reviews or testimonials. Businesses that knowingly buy fake reviews, earn them from company insiders or disseminate fake reviews will be penalized. It also discourages businesses from using "unfounded or groundless legal threats, physical threats, intimidation, or certain false public accusations."
How can I spot a fake review?
When determining if an online review is authentic or fake, the Federal Trade Commission informs consumers to check the source of the review.
The agency also offers these helpful tips on their website to keep in mind as well:
- Consumers should check how recent the reviews are and watch for a burst of reviews over a brief time. That can sometimes mean the reviews are fake.
- The FTC notes that you should Monitor if the reviewer has written other reviews. If so, read those to get a better sense of how much to trust that reviewer. If it seems that the reviewer has created an account just to write one review for one product, that review may be fake.
- You also should not assume that, just by looking, you can spot the difference between a real review and a fake one. Some reviews may look suspicious, and some may look real, but it can often be nearly impossible to tell for sure.
- Remember that fake reviews are not always positive. Sometimes, a company might post fake negative reviews to harm a competitor.
Consumers can report violations at reportfraud.ftc.gov.