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Have you ever visited a restaurant with great reviews online and felt like the food didn’t live up to expectations?
You may have been the victim of a fake AI-written review.
In 2023, Google blocked or removed 170 million fake reviews, while Tripadvisor blocked two million misleading reviews.
Are there ways to spot a fake review?
Yes, there are, according to AI experts at AIPRMwho sells ChatGPT products. Here they share their best tips for determining which reviews are genuine and which were written by a computer, from excessive praise to profiles with “red flags.”
AI experts at AIPRM have shared their top tips for spotting fake reviews online
Look for generic tricks
The AIPRO team says: “When looking for reviews for your next venture, be wary of generic jargon that sounds like it could apply to anywhere. AI-generated reviews can sometimes feel like they’re ripped from a generic, one-size-fits-all script – bland, vague, and lacking that human spark.”
Experts say genuine reviews often include “essential details” like “a cozy café corner” or a “secret dish that only locals know about.”
Potentially fake review: ‘The place is great. Everything works. I recommend it.’
Example of a real review: “I stayed at this lovely inn for a weekend and the garden view was stunning. The local cafe was a delight, although the wifi could be improved.”
Analyze the reviewer’s profile
“Get into detective mode,” the AIPRO team recommends. Experts say: “Examine the reviewer’s profile for clues about authenticity. Authentic travelers often have a collection of reviews from different places and experiences.
‘If you come across a profile with only a few reviews, all clustered around the same dates, or that lacks personal details like a profile photo and bio, that’s a red flag that draws your attention.’
Potentially fake profile:A reviewer with three positive reviews posted in one day or week, all about different locations.
Example of a real profile:A reviewer with a variety of reviews on hotels, restaurants and tours spread over time.
Seek out extreme opinions
The AIPRO team explains that a “telltale sign” of a fake AI review is a comment that is “overly positive” or “overly negative,” but lacks “real details” to back it up.
They say: “Real reviews are more like travel diaries, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of the trip. Look for balanced comments that acknowledge both the pros and cons of a place or service: one that mentions fabulous views, but also acknowledges a noisy street or delicious meals with a note about slow service.”
Potentially fake review:This hotel is absolutely perfect!
Example of a real review‘The view of the beach was stunning and the staff was friendly, but the room could be more soundproofed from street noise.’
The AIPRO team explains that a “telltale sign” of a fake AI review is feedback that is “overly positive” or “overly negative” but lacks “real details” to back it up.
Comparing reviews across multiple platforms
AIPRO’s team of experts says: “Don’t rely solely on one website for reviews. Be smart and compare reviews across different platforms like Tripadvisor, Google Reviews, and Yelp to get a complete picture.
‘Consistent comments across different sites may indicate genuine experiences shared by real-life users.’
Potentially fake review:A restaurant that only has 5-star reviews on one site, but shows mixed ratings on others.
Example of a real review:A hotel with generally positive reviews on various platforms, sprinkled with some constructive comments.
Examine the timing of reviews
The team warns: ‘If you notice a flood of reviews, all positive, in a short period of time, especially if they are uniformly overly positive or negative, it could be a sign that AI is at play.
‘Fake AI reviews often appear in clusters, as opposed to authentic reviews that appear over time as users share their unique travel experiences at different intervals.’
Potentially fake review:A hotel receives dozens of positive reviews, all posted within days or hours.
Example of a real review:A hotel has reviews spread over several months and travelers share their experiences at different times.
