"A Star Against Stupidity": The Crazy War Over Google Reviews
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The article discusses the growing phenomenon of online review manipulation, including extortion and deletion campaigns.
- It questions the reliability of online reviews, citing contradictory examples.
- The author suggests returning to trusting one's own judgment when visiting local businesses.
A "crazy war" is unfolding around Google reviews, fueled by extortion, angry comments, and a deletion frenzy. This trend raises serious questions about the trustworthiness of online ratings for local businesses. The article highlights the power individuals now wield to damage businesses through reviews, noting that this power is increasingly being exploited.
The piece questions the value of online reviews by presenting conflicting examples. One review might laud a restaurant like Ferhat Dรถner for having the "best food" ever tasted, while another, posted just below, criticizes the establishment for lacking both friendliness and flavor. Such discrepancies suggest that online ratings are often unreliable and can be easily manipulated.
Given the unreliability and potential for abuse in online review systems, the author advocates for a return to personal judgment. The piece suggests that when visiting local establishments, individuals should rely more on their own experiences and intuition rather than placing blind faith in potentially biased or fabricated online comments. The underlying message is to trust your gut feeling when choosing where to dine or shop.
Originally published by Der Standard in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.