Can You Believe Yelp’s Online Reviews?

The New York Times recently published a very illuminating  article entitled “A Rave, a Pan, or Just a Fake?”  I don’t know why but I was shocked to find out that many of Yelp’s reviews are actually written in India!  Here is an excerpt: “As a consumer review Web site, Yelp is so big and influential that it has given rise to a small, semi-underground group of entrepreneurs who, for a fee, will post a rave about your company.  Others will post a negative review about your rivals.” …” Among them is Fiverr.com, where people advertise tasks they are willing to perform for five bucks. A recent ad posted by “Katmoney” — many job seekers use pseudonyms — offered to write convincing negative reviews posted to a Yelp page of your choosing.”  After just a few minutes I found this example– its not just Yelp but Trip Adviser and others! Who knew?  Like everything else, let the buyer beware!