Online Reviews and Recommendations - Consumer Tips | Federal Trade Commission

This video describes how consumers can evaluate online reviews and recommendations when shopping.

********************************************
Transcript:
[music playing with no voice over]

Text on screen:

An Important message from the Federal Trade Commission

Whether you’re looking for a hotel

or searching for a new pair of shoes

you probably turn to the internet for customer reviews

from “five stars”, “likes”, “thumbs ups”, or “must buys” –

a positive opinion could impact your decision to buy it or try it.

while blogs, websites, and social networks are great resources –

you may not be getting the whole story.

for example,

your Facebook Friend, who gushes about how a new dog food,

may be receiving a free dog food in exchange for her glowing review

or the hotel, with the five star rating

might have paid a blogger to write a stellar review

while the law says that reviewers should disclose their connection to the company

not all of them do.

it can be difficult to tell if the reviewer has a connection to the company

So, before you buy anything based on a review...

Do an internet search,

Look for credible opinions from trusted sources,

Compare reviews from a variety of websites

In the end, it pays to learn as much as you can.

********************************************

The Federal Trade Commission deals with issues that touch the economic life of every American. It is the only federal agency with both consumer protection and competition jurisdiction in broad sectors of the economy. The FTC pursues vigorous and effective law enforcement; advances consumers' interests by sharing its expertise with federal and state legislatures and U.S. and international government agencies; develops policy and research tools through hearings, workshops, and conferences; and creates practical and plain-language educational programs for consumers and businesses in a global marketplace with constantly changing technologies.

Comment Moderation Policy
We welcome your comments and thoughts about the information on this page. If you do have something to say, please be courteous and respectful to other commenters. We won't routinely review or edit any comments before they are posted, but we will delete any comments that:
1) contain spam or are off-topic
2) use vulgar language or offensive terms that target specific groups or contain personal attacks
3) are sales pitches, promotions, urls or links to commercial sites
4) spread clearly misleading or false information
or
5) include personal information, like home addresses

[josephgrimaldi]

Excellent information and production. : ]

[melissahumphrey]

Very informative better understanding! !

[paulakiter]

I think this is very informational this world is effected by this in the north of the rose that blooms in the park when the sun shines from the west.

[Garysopinion]

I assumed the business reviewed itself as a customer to get sales, I would.

[carlbowles]

I've grown leery of customer reviews. They often come from those who received free product without disclosure. I'm suspicious, this doesn't bode well for trust. The dishonest kill it.

[kesy]

Name Alfonso Gonzalez Nike kesy end Cassandra end juera END badoo line

[kesy]

Work America for 30 good morning 30 years when the government America what you mean about not being able to come addition for me okay President Obama her longtime you working okay and all the country an American League one chick but neither in other countries because my complicated to get my ID I want to give it to me discrimination to me whatever it is eyewear non-legal citizens sergeant ameriwood Sergeant citizens for 20 years I for my wife Ameri in Savannah Georgia Army my why City in sergeant you working in alarmy and I'm married okay I got a penny