Fake reviews: how we find them

Reviews are shown as soon as they're written. We find fake reviews mainly when someone reports them. When a moderator looks at a case, the system shows the signals we can see in the data, e.g.:

• Whether the purchase has been confirmed by the company, and whether the review came via an invitation.
• Whether the account was created the same day or recently.
• Whether several reviews have come in for the same company within a short time.
• Whether the text contains links, phone numbers or emails.
• Whether several people have reported the same review.
• Whether the review has been edited.

An automatic filter that can hold back a suspicious review before it's shown is coming later.

The signals are only an aid. It's a moderator who decides whether the review breaks the Fake or incentivised review or Conflict of interest rule. The reviewer gets the decision with a reason and can appeal.

• The review is held back or removed and doesn't count towards the SaysScore.
• The company may get a public warning on its profile. See Warnings on company profiles.

• Report a suspicious review with Report next to the review. See Report a review.
• Report bought reviews, fake profiles and rewards for stars on Report misuse.

You can read more on How we fight fake reviews.