How to Spot Fake Reviews?

• by 2 Shabd
• June 02, 2025
• 5 min read

We are all used to seeing reviews on major platforms, but did you know that companies sometimes pay for fake reviews to boost their products? If businesses can fabricate reviews, why wouldn’t individuals do the same? We already have verification badge and witnesses to tackle fake reviews, but if someone still tries to manipulate reviews, here are a few factors based on which you can tell the difference between real and fake reviews on 2 Shabd.

1. Look for Generalizations

When someone is unfamiliar with a person, their reviews often end up sounding vague and general, missing out on specific information.

Examples of Fake Reviews:

1. "My friend is kind, reliable, and always supportive. They bring positivity into every interaction."
2. "My cousin is an incredible cook. Her skills never fail to impress."

Examples of Valid Reviews (Specificity is Key):

1. "My friend is kind, reliable, and always supportive. When I was sick last year, they visited daily with meals and encouragement. Their warmth made a tough time so much easier."
2. "My cousin is amazing at cooking. Her Chinese and Mexican dishes are so good that my parents are disappointed if they miss out when they visit my uncle."

2. Check the Length

Fake reviews often consist of repetitive phrases and minimal details.

Examples of Fake Reviews:

1. "Good person."
2. "This guy is the best."
3. "Nice friend."

Look for Reviews with Substance: Real reviews should give you something to chew on! However, a very lengthy content could simply mean an AI-inflated review, which is easy to identify.

3. Look for Supporting Evidence

Imagine reading glowing reviews for a web developer, but not a single client shares their website link. What could be the reason? The reviews are fake, that’s likely why! Legitimate reviews often include supporting details that enhance credibility.

Examples of Fake Reviews:

1. "I had an amazing time on our trip last year!"
2. "You look just like Tom Cruise!"

Examples of Valid Reviews:

1. "I had an amazing time on our trip! Check out the reel I posted below to see the highlights."
2. "You look just like Tom Cruise! Here’s the exact scene I’m talking about from a short clip."

4. Research the Reviewer

If you click on a reviewer’s profile on platforms like Google Maps or Amazon, you may end up finding no detailed information about them.

On 2 Shabd, you can click on a reviewer’s profile to check their reviews, verification badge and even networks (social, professional, etc.) to verify their credibility. This transparency can help you feel more confident in the stories you read.

5. Review Acceptance Rate (RAR)

At the top of each profile, you will notice a percentage after 5 stars. It measures the proportion of accepted reviews relative to the total number of submissions from unique profiles. A low RAR (10-20%) means the person keeps on rejecting the reviews or keeps them pending, which is a clear sign of being shady. In contract, if a profile shows all signs of being legitimate, a low RAR simply reflects exclusivity.