This category focuses on consumer product reviews, also known as customer reviews or user reviews. Product comparison sites may also be listed here.

These differ from consumer report sites in that consumer report sites conduct rigorous, scientific testing and analysis of the products being reviewed, often using labs and experts who evaluate products based on standardized criteria. Organizations like Consumer Reports are typically non-profit organizations that do not accept advertising, which helps to ensure that their reviews are unbiased and independent. Consumer report sites provide detailed reports and ratings on a wide range of products, often including long-term reliability data and safety information. Access to full reports might require a subscription or membership.

In our web guide, consumer report sites may be found at Consumer Reports & Information.

This portion of our guide is about consumer-generated content, such as consumer product reviews, customer reviews, or product comparison sites.

On such sites, reviews can vary widely in quality and detail, as they are based on individual experiences and opinions. Most customer review sites are free to use and do not require a subscription, and can serve as valuable feedback to businesses, as well as information for prospective buyers to consider.

User review and customer review sites have become integral to the digital marketplace. These platforms allow consumers to share their experiences and opinions about the products and services they use which, in turn, influences the purchasing decisions of others. Your reviews can shape the market and influence businesses' strategies. You are part of a larger community that drives market dynamics.

Review sites help consumers make informed decisions by providing firsthand accounts of product performance and service quality. Reviews often include tips and advice from other consumers, adding value beyond the product description. Businesses can use these reviews to gauge customer satisfaction and to identify areas for improvement. Positive reviews can enhance a company's reputation and attract new customers. Conversely, bad reviews may have the results. By monitoring competitor reviews, companies can better understand market trends and consumer preferences. Customer reviews can shift market dynamics, with companies striving to outperform each other based on consumer feedback.

However, the credibility of reviews is crucial to the usefulness of a review site. Authentic reviews provide genuine insights, while fake reviews can mislead consumers, eroding trust in the platform. Some review platforms have implemented verification systems to ensure that reviews come from actual customers. At the same time, reviews are inherently subjective and subject to influences by personal biases.

While many review sites accept advertising and sponsorships, others may participate in product affiliate programs in order to monetize the website, thus helping to pay for the time and expense of the platform; there is a potential downside to this.

To me, this was demonstrated by a well-known user review platform, which I won't name. After leaving what was an objective review of a restaurant in which I had a couple of bad experiences, I soon found that this review was removed from public viewing, meaning it was still there, but no one but myself could see it. Intrigued, I learned that the restaurant was an advertiser. When bad reviews are removed in order to better monetize the site, the reviews are unreliable. Consequently, when considering a hotel or a restaurant, I no longer turn to that platform for reviews. As with fake reviews, the removal of negative reviews for advertisers erodes trust in the platform as much as the inclusion of fake reviews.

People will leave reviews on product review platforms for a number of reasons. Some, of course, will leave a negative review in order to right some wrong they believe was done to them. More often, I believe that consumers write reviews in order to help others make informed decisions. Perhaps they have benefited from the reviews of others, and feel compelled to contribute their own reviews. Sharing experiences can be personally satisfying and provide a sense of community involvement. Some platforms offer rewards or incentives for writing reviews. Often, this is in the form of branded apparel or gifts.

Review sites play a role in the digital economy, providing insights for consumers, feedback for producers, and competitive intelligence for businesses. However, their usefulness is connective to the perception of the platform's reliability.

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