Online shopping is probably now part of our necessities. It doesn’t just ease your work, but also helps to obtain lowest price. As part of security measure, people commonly read up reviews under each of the products they intend to buy. However, do be aware that these reviews, too, can be fabricated by some irresponsible sellers.

There are many ways to keep these problems at curb and most of the time you have to combine few of them altogether. These are some of the best ways you can do.

1. Look for verified purchases

Many marketplaces has adopted this function. You may notice the ‘verified’ status next to the reviewer’s name. It simply means that the reviewer has gone through all required steps – such as ordering and receiving the product – before being able to leave a comment.

2. Look for repeated style in writing

Take note of some repetitive or eye-catching words used by the reviewers. Fake reviews are commonly done a third party groups, which consists of same writers who write different reviews. At times, their styles of writing may become stagnant and that is when you can start noticing them.

3. Look for timing of reviews

Unless it was Black Friday or holiday season, it is highly unlikely for a store to have a sudden spike of positive reviews. For example, a huge amount of positive reviews within an hour of the same day. It can raise a suspicion if this happen while no promotion is being held prior to it.

When you see such occurrence, you may try applying the second method into this. It might help you to narrow down the possibility of them being fake.

4. Look for suspicious language

Infomercial or formal type of review may seem very suspicious. It is true that some people do write down their thoughts that way, but having to many of same writing style can be a huge warning sign. A genuine positive reviews may commonly look short and less grammatically correct.

Customers commonly treat online review as an informal platform to interact with sellers. You may imagine people typing in their daily casual tone, just like how they normally talk.

5. Look for generic names

Although not entirely applicable, as people’s names can sound generic sometimes, but having a swarm of similarly sounded reviewers within same period of time can raise up huge doubts. When this happens, it is best that we take a look around before accepting those suspicious reviews.