A federal rule banning fake online reviews is now in effect.
The Federal Trade Commission issued the rulein August banning the sale or purchase of online reviews. The rule, which went into effect Monday, allows the agency to seek civil penalties against those who knowingly violate it.
“Fake reviews not only waste people’s time and money, but also pollute the marketplace and divert business away from honest competitors,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said about the rule in August. She added that the rule will “protect Americans from getting cheated, put businesses that unlawfully game the system on notice, and promote markets that are fair, honest, and competitive.”
I just got a can of diet Coke in exchange for a 5-star review of a local eatery. I legit like the eatery, but would not have left a review without the bribe.
Is that a legit review or a fake one?
that is fake
I’d say that’s legit given you actually like the eatery. Would you have written the review if they had just nicely asked you to, without a payment of Diet Coke?
IMHO, if they’d give you the Coke for any review, regardless of rating, that’s fine. If they demand a 5-star rating for the Coke, then that’s no good.
Your review might have been honest, but not everybody else’s who just wanted the Coke will be.
You received an item for the review. That’s a bribe. Fake.