TripAdvisor is probably one of the most high-profile, manipulated sites on the planet. Why? Because TripAdvisor pretty much lets anyone say anything about anyone with ZERO accountability. And although John Q Public isn't aware of this, restaurant/hotel owners and others in the travel biz, ARE. Unfortunately, since TripAdvisor has done a bang-up marketing job promoting themselves as pretty much the Bible on travel info, and like I said, John Q Public believes it, the folks in the travel biz feel they have to play the TripAdvisor game... and unless said restaurants/hotels and travel services are well established, reputable or just plain BIG- most do. Make no mistake, there's a severe risk when you get in bed with TripAdvisor and this quote pretty much sums it up: Live by the sword - die by the sword.
As the above example indicates, it's really quite simple. Anyone can post a positive or negative review about any restaurant, hotel etc, without so much as ever stepping foot in said establishment. Hotel and restaurant owners know this. So they manipulate. They have people (usually friends and family) write positive reviews for them and/or negative reviews for the competition. The outcome over time is obvious, it's an absolute FREE FRAWL for rankings since TripAdvisor does almost nothing to stop it. Therefore thousands of reviews are bogus. TripAdvisor says fraud is minimal. I beg to differ.
Here's our video about TripAdvisor- the Evil Empire.
Stephen · 655 weeks ago
I mean come on folks.... If its on google it must be true.....
michael_alan 33p · 655 weeks ago
GringoFace · 655 weeks ago
michael_alan 33p · 655 weeks ago
David M. Lane · 655 weeks ago
michael_alan 33p · 655 weeks ago
expatcostarica 44p · 655 weeks ago
One new feature that may help is Facebook and Trip Advisor integration. I was logged into Facebook while looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur, and Trip Advisor showed me which comments were posted by my friends on Facebook. Since I am selective about friends on Facebook I can assume these comments are legitimate.
Of course this has a long way and some possible evolution before it may be useful for most destinations. However, I do expect Trip Advisor to work in this direction because it greatly improves their bottom line when they have detailed statistics and social network integration for their page visitors.
michael alan · 655 weeks ago
The FAceBook TA integration sounds like a decent start though. Thanx for the comments....
Tobias · 655 weeks ago
I agree, that tripadvisor has some risks for tourism business owners and also their customers. But I think also that with some common sense you can recognize the difference between just a "Troll" and a real review. Proof me wrong, but I think there should also still be the option for business owners to complain to tripadvisor if a review has no reason. But I also would suggest tripadvisor to implement some sort of proofing system.