Let’s face it — we all read reviews before making a purchase.
Whether you’re booking a hotel, hiring a tradie, or buying something online, reviews are often the first thing we check. But with the rise of fake reviews, it’s becoming harder to know what’s real and what’s not.
Businesses are paying for 5-star ratings, bots are generating fake feedback, and competitors are leaving negative reviews to bring others down. So, how do you know which reviews to trust?
Here’s a practical, down-to-earth guide to spotting fake reviews, so you can shop with confidence and avoid getting scammed.
✅ 1. If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
Genuine reviews often include both positives and a few minor flaws, because nothing is perfect. But fake reviews? They tend to go over the top.
For example:
“Best product ever! Amazing quality, super fast delivery, and unbeatable service. I’ll never use anyone else again!”
That sounds more like a sales pitch than real feedback.
On the other hand, fake negative reviews can be overly dramatic:
“Worst experience of my life. Total scam. Stay far away!”
If a review seems overly glowing or ridiculously negative without much detail, take it with a grain of salt.
🗓️ 2. Look at the Timing of the Reviews
Pay attention to when the reviews were posted. If a product or business suddenly gets a flood of 5-star reviews all within a day or two, that’s a red flag.
Real reviews usually trickle in over time. A sudden spike in ratings could mean the business paid for them or ran an incentivized review campaign.
👤 3. Check the Reviewer’s Profile
If the platform lets you click on a reviewer’s profile, do it.
Ask yourself:
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Have they reviewed a variety of businesses or products?
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Are their reviews detailed and varied?
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Or do they only leave 5-star reviews for random things, all on the same day?
Fake reviewers often have empty profiles, use stock images, and leave generic comments like “great service!” across multiple listings. Real people have a history and usually review things they’ve used or experienced.
📝 4. Vague Reviews Are a Red Flag
Real reviews usually mention specific details, how the product worked, what the customer liked or didn’t like, and their overall experience.
For example:
“The jacket fit well and kept me warm on a windy day. Shipping was a bit slow, but customer service responded quickly when I followed up.”
Compare that to:
“Awesome product. Great value. Will buy again.”
The first sounds real. The second sounds like it was written by a bot or someone who never actually bought the product.
🌐 5. Stick with Trusted Review Platforms
Not all review websites are created equal.
Sites like TrustPages actively monitor reviews and often use AI tools or manual checks to filter out fake ones. Others may allow anyone to post anything, including bots or paid reviewers.
Look for platforms that:
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Verify real customers or purchases
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Let users report fake reviews
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Don’t allow businesses to delete negative feedback
At TrustPages, we focus on showcasing verified reviews from real Aussie customers, helping people make better, more informed decisions.
🔍 6. Use Reverse Image Search on Profile Photos
Some fake reviewers use stock photos or AI-generated faces. If a review has a photo and it looks a little too perfect, try doing a quick reverse image search on Google.
If the same image appears on multiple profiles or unrelated websites, chances are the review isn’t genuine.
🔁 7. Repeated Language = Fake Reviews
Read through a few reviews for the same product or business. If you notice the same phrases being repeated, like:
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“Highly recommended”
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“Excellent service and fast delivery.”
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“Exactly what I wanted!”
It might be part of a paid or automated campaign.
Real reviews vary in tone and language. Copy-paste style comments are a clear sign that something’s off.
🤔 8. Trust Your Gut and Cross-Check
If something feels off, it probably is.
Check the business or product across multiple review sites. If one site shows glowing 5-star feedback, but another has mixed or negative reviews, dig a little deeper.
You can also search for customer experiences on social media, Reddit, or local forums. Many people share their honest opinions there, especially when they’ve been burned by fake reviews.
🛠️ 9. Try Tools That Detect Fake Reviews
Some handy tools and extensions analyze reviews for authenticity:
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Fakespot: Flags suspicious reviews on Amazon, Yelp, and more.
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ReviewMeta: Helps filter out fake reviews on Amazon.
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TrustPages.org: Only displays real, verified business reviews from Australian customers.
These tools aren’t perfect, but they can give you a better sense of what to trust, especially for bigger purchases.
👏 Final Thoughts: Be Review-Savvy
Fake reviews aren’t just annoying, they can lead to bad purchases, wasted money, and major headaches. But now you know what to look out for.
Here’s a quick recap:
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Look for balanced, detailed reviews.
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Be suspicious of sudden review spikes.
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Check the reviewer’s profile and history.
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Cross-check on multiple platforms.
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Use tools and trusted sites like TrustPages to verify authenticity.
At the end of the day, real reviews build real trust, and that’s exactly what smart shoppers like you deserve.
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