In addition, it misleads consumers to make purchases based on recommendations that are not based on facts or even opinions. One of the most reliable things to do when identifying a fake reviewer is to compare their name to the customer database. Do you read them? Do you trust them? Do they influence your purchasing decisions in any way, shape or form? Among the things you revealed, the research of Mike Blumenthal and Joy Hawkins, some of the review spam networks are so massive, yet so basic. To write a misleading message, reviewers need to use more cognitive functions than they would if they were telling the truth.
Google doesn't seem to distinguish between trivial places (why should I review a subway station?) and more substantive places (restaurant, gym, etc.). While it's not guaranteed to reveal the authenticity of the review, you might find a competitor trying to make a quick one or a person who hasn't ended up using your services at all, but I still felt compelled to post a review. I'm a local guide and Google often asks me to check where I've been; restaurants, subway stations, parks, anywhere that can be pinned on a map. Another way to check the legitimacy of the account is to check if other companies, especially those in your industry, have reviewed.
The idea is that when a third party reads both the false opinion and the answer, it becomes clear that the opinion was never true, especially when the reviewer doesn't respond. I had to review the legal system and send them a full review of what laws had been broken, etc. That said, companies should never accuse reviewers of being naive, this could really affect it again. You can't control what's in the review snippets, the ones you see in the right sidebar (the knowledge panel), or those in the Google Maps 3-pack.
While it's possible that someone else bought the product for them, or someone else paid when they placed the order with you, it's usually a relatively easy and concrete way to check if the person you're reviewing ever bought with you. I use “reviewer” in quotation marks because many times these spam lists don't come from people who have actually visited the business. In fact, research indicates that when reviewers try to be deceptive, they are more likely to use words that aren't as long or complex. I think you're underestimating the vastness of Google's review system and all the negative effects that increased vigilance would have before Google makes sure it's done competently.
If the review mentions products, services, or even names that you don't recognize, it's likely that the review has gone astray.
