Product Reviews

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has introduced a new rule banning fake reviews and testimonials, aiming to enhance transparency and trust in the retail industry. This rule is set to reshape the landscape of online reviews, with significant implications for consumers and businesses alike. The FTC’s rule against fake reviews is a major step toward…

As the holiday season approaches, consumers are relying more than ever on user-generated content (UGC) to make informed purchasing decisions. With the FTC’s new rule on fake reviews, brands and retailers face heightened scrutiny and potential penalties if found in violation. There are several best practices for navigating this evolving landscape that will help businesses…

Shopping has never been easier. Purchasing a new pair of sandals, plane tickets or even your groceries from home — or anywhere, for that matter — is simply convenient. Meanwhile, it’s up to online retailers to catch shoppers’ attention. Not an easy job considering the competitive environment in which e-commerce businesses are now operating in.…

Amazon.com and the Better Business Bureau filed a lawsuit last week against a business called ReviewServiceUSA.com that allegedly facilitated the sale of fake, positive reviews on Amazon product listings and Better Business Bureau profile pages. “In exchange for a fee, defendants or their agents used customer accounts that they control to post fake product reviews on…

Why is there such an emphasis on buyer personas today? Because buyer-driven websites are two to five times more effective and easier to use by their targeted audience. Studying and understanding buyer personas — research-based profiles depicting a target customer — helped 82 percent of companies connect with their customers and create an improved value…

Instacart‘s partnership with OpenAI was a significant first step in showing how generative artificial intelligence will fundamentally change the digital shelf and retail media. Amazon.com also has several generative AI-powered initiatives, including AI-generated review highlights and Project Nile, a GenAI search concierge reportedly set to launch in January. If the feature fulfills its potential, it…

Consumers are increasingly skeptical. Name brands can no longer assume customer loyalty based on reputation alone. Today’s consumer doesn’t hesitate to study the reviews and experiences of others to determine the highest quality products at the best price — brand name or not. While some popular review sites (think Amazon.com) are no longer assumed to…

Authenticity is at the forefront of every consumer buying decision, thus making reviews a barometer for a product and a company’s trustworthiness. Forty-nine percent of consumers trust reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family members, creating a level of confidence with direct revenue implications. Marketers have made leaving product reviews extremely accessible to capitalize on their power, pulling from multiple…

Earning and then protecting a trusted brand reputation should be at the heart of any good business strategy; yet, it often falls by the wayside because it arguably cannot be easily quantified. That said, your customer community and the trust you instill in your customers should be viewed as your greatest asset and a key…

It’s estimated that 30 percent of apparel and shoes purchased online are returned. And per the National Retail Federation, the projected cumulative cost of returns last year was $761 billion (this equates to 17 percent of all purchases, an 11 percent increase from our previous year's research). Returns are an expensive proposition for retailers. As…