How to Spot Fake Customer Reviews Online
Real customer reviews provide an inside look at the quality and value of a company’s products and services. Legitimate businesses pay (and it’s expensive) to contract with a third-party, Google-authorized review service such as Shopper Approved, TrustPilot or Yotpo to collect reviews for them.
These services collect reviews from verified purchasers only and take the review process completely out of the hands of the website owner to ensure the absolute integrity of every review.
I contract with Shopper Approved and have absolutely no access to any customer review. Shopper Approved won’t even change misspellings of my name in reviews. I know this because I called and asked them to. They refused and said a stipulation of being a Google-authorized service is that all reviews must remain exactly as the customer wrote them—misspellings and all.
Here’s how to tell if the reviews on a website are fake and written by the website owner themselves.
Any review you see on a website that is not clearly marked as having been collected by one of these Google-authorized services that verify purchasers is likely fake (at the link, scroll to the heading “Where ratings come from” for the full list of Google-authorized review services).
Dishonest speechwriters will post fake reviews they’ve written themselves on their site then try to make you believe they’re real by signing them with things like, “Julie C.” or “S. Brown, Denver.” Don’t believe it. There’s no way for you to verify these are actual customers other than taking the word of the website owner who you don’t know from Adam, as the saying goes.
Also be aware that most, if not all, reviews on Google are fake. That’s because Google doesn’t have any customer verification process in place—all you need is an email address to post a review. And you can post more than one review. So most reviews on Google are posted by either the speechwriter him/herself or their family and friends.
Another telltale sign a review is fake is that it’s overwritten with over-the-top language like “I highly, highly, highly recommend working with Eulogies “R” Us…” or “I cannot recommend this fabulous, amazing, outstanding company enough!”
Fake reviews also tend to have stuffy overwritten phrases not used in everyday conversation like “Before discovering Eulogies “R” Us I felt utterly lost like I was drowning in a sea of sorrow.” Real people don’t talk like that.
The bottom line: any competent, legitimate speechwriter is going to pay a Google-authorized review service that collects reviews from verified purchasers only to earn your trust and give you complete peace of mind. See my Shopper Approved reviews.
- Favorite Reviews
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- 5 ★ Reviews
- 4 ★ Reviews
- 3 ★ Reviews
- 2 ★ Reviews
- 1 ★ Reviews
My husband was a federal judge and his funeral was going to be attended by several hundred people including two Supreme Court justices, former directors of the CIA and other high level friends and colleagues of his in the government. So I knew expectations were going to be high and I needed to give a memorable eulogy. I had big needs when I contacted Den but could tell from our first conversation that I made the right decision. Den has an interesting process and conversational, psychological style that helped me organize my life with my husband and our children and create something that brilliantly illustrated his values and character as a husband, father, judge and man. I received many, many compliments throughout the day and felt great that I was able to honor my husband in exactly the way I wanted. I appreciated Den's help in making a tough situation easier for me and our family. Easily five stars.
Customer ServiceDen made this process much easier than I thought it would be. I spoke first at my mom's celebration of life with more than 200 people but wasn't nervous because Den had prepared me with not only a great eulogy but with speaking tips that made it easy for me. The eulogy Den created was not like other eulogies I've heard but brought out everything that made my mom completely unique and original. I felt her with me. Thank you, Den, for everything.
Customer ServiceI wish you could hear firsthand the feedback I received after the eulogy! It was FANTASTIC! I'm very happy I brought you in create something special, heartwarming and original. My family and friends were amazed and I was proud to be able to celebrate my dad the right way. Many thanks for your help. You were fun, engaged and motivated throughout and I appreciate it. You're my first call when I have to give another speech.
Customer ServiceI successfully gave the eulogy last night! I thought I would be nervous but you prepared me well. Got compliment after compliment. Thank you so much for your amazing help and guidance. I'm grateful. You are truly a great coach and a true craftsman! I hope our next speech together will be for a happier occasion. Until next time, take care.
Customer ServiceAn amazingly positive experience with Den. Much better and easier than I expected to put a eulogy together for my mom. Delivery went great thanks to the tips and strategies Den provides. Got a ton of positive feedback from the 150+ people at the service. Best to you Den! Thank you!
Customer ServiceDen, everything went fantastic. Lots of laughter and tears in the house. Even the funeral home staff came up to me afterwards and said it was the highlight of the day. Thank you very much for your help. You know your stuff and made this much easier than I thought it was going to be giving this eulogy. Thanks again.
Customer ServiceI have worked with Den three times -- twice for wedding speeches and now once for my wife's eulogy. He came through for me again in a big way. This was a very traumatic time for our family and I saw my eulogy, which kicked off the celebration of life event for 175 people, as a way to set an important positive tone for the evening. Den helped me bring my wife and all she was right into the room. I got nothing but compliments all night. Most important I was able to honor my wife and our family with a great eulogy. Thanks again, Den.
Customer ServiceI knocked the eulogy out of the park this morning! Got compliment after compliment. Thank you so much for your amazing writing, help and guidance. This was important to my family and I'm grateful. You are truly a great listener, writer and coach. I would recommend you to anyone. Until next time, take care. I'll be in touch.
Customer ServiceSorry for the extremely late email, but I wanted to thank you for all your help on this eulogy as you know it was one of the more difficult tasks for me and my family The eulogy went perfectly, we laughed we cried it was everything I hoped it would be. Everyone loved it and it made me feel great to deliver something that touched everyone. Thank you again for agreeing to work with us, we appreciate all your hard work. It has been relieving to know you've had my back. Thank you!
Customer ServiceDen, I can't begin to tell you how well the eulogy went. I had numerous people tell me it was the best speech they have ever heard! I would say out of the 125 people in attendance, at least 40 people mentioned how great it was. Thank you so much and I will be in touch when our son gets married next year. The best $700 I've spent in a long time. Thanks again.
Customer Service