Cracking Down on Fake Reviews: Can the Online Epidemic be Stopped?

The fake review industry, where people and businesses pay marketers to post fake positive reviews on platforms like Google Maps, Amazon, and Yelp, is facing a crackdown as regulators and tech companies take action. The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a rule to punish businesses for buying or selling fake reviews, while online platforms like Amazon and Expedia have formed a coalition to combat review fraud. However, experts warn that the problem may be insurmountable, as fake reviewers have survived previous crackdowns. Fake reviews are pervasive, with Amazon blocking over 200 million suspected fake reviews last year. The industry is fueled by deceptive marketers, many of whom are based overseas, and the rise of artificial intelligence tools that make it easier to write fake reviews.