- Mar 26, 2013
- 14,954
- 11,748
December 2021 edit: New version here: https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/spotting-fake-marketplace-reviews.1375176/
Fake marketplace reviews are the top complaint (and my own personal pet hate) so I'm pleased to say we're focusing on getting them stamped out.
When members report marketplace threads for fake reviews, we spend a lot of time going through multiple sources of info and can often get enough evidence to be able to deal with it. But it doesn't always work out like this. Sometimes several days work can result in a mess of "it's probably fake but we can't prove it" and all we can do is flag it for monitoring and random spot checks.
To deal with it more effectively in the immediate future, this is the process:
PLEASE NOTE:
Not every single report will result in the seller being asked to provide proof. We know that not all reports are submitted with the best intentions and we'll do our own checks first before escalating it. This is the fairest way to let members reply or clear up any misunderstandings. No-one will be banned without being given every chance to prove that they are a genuine seller.
If you receive one of these PM's it will contain details on the proof we need to see. Do NOT ignore it.
Please read our other thread for more information: https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/please-read-spammers-and-fake-reviews.852452/
Fake marketplace reviews are the top complaint (and my own personal pet hate) so I'm pleased to say we're focusing on getting them stamped out.
When members report marketplace threads for fake reviews, we spend a lot of time going through multiple sources of info and can often get enough evidence to be able to deal with it. But it doesn't always work out like this. Sometimes several days work can result in a mess of "it's probably fake but we can't prove it" and all we can do is flag it for monitoring and random spot checks.
To deal with it more effectively in the immediate future, this is the process:
- When fake reviews are reported, we'll go through a "triage" checklist for suspicious behavior.
- If there's enough red flags, we'll contact the seller and ask them to provide proof of all suspicious transactions in their thread. The buyer will also be contacted and asked for the same information.
- If either member chooses not to respond within 7 days, their account will be infracted. If the seller doesn't respond, the thread will be closed. If it happens again, the account will be banned.
- If we find that accounts are being used to manipulate the marketplace and deceive members, then both accounts involved will be banned.
PLEASE NOTE:
Not every single report will result in the seller being asked to provide proof. We know that not all reports are submitted with the best intentions and we'll do our own checks first before escalating it. This is the fairest way to let members reply or clear up any misunderstandings. No-one will be banned without being given every chance to prove that they are a genuine seller.
If you receive one of these PM's it will contain details on the proof we need to see. Do NOT ignore it.
Please read our other thread for more information: https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/please-read-spammers-and-fake-reviews.852452/
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