How to Spot Fake Reviews Before You Choose a Local Business
By the TownTrove team
Reviews are one of the most useful tools for choosing a shop, clinic or service. They are also easy to fake. With a little attention, you can usually tell which ones to trust.
Patterns that suggest fake reviews
- Many five-star reviews posted within a few days, after months of silence.
- Very short reviews with the same words, such as “best service, highly recommended”.
- Reviews that praise the business but never mention a specific product, service or staff member.
- Reviewer profiles with only one review, or reviews of many businesses in different cities on the same day.
What genuine reviews usually look like
Real customers tend to mention details: what they bought, how long the service took, the name of the person who helped them, and sometimes a small complaint along with the praise. A mix of four- and five-star reviews with a few lower ones is more believable than a perfect score.
Read the negative reviews
Sort by lowest rating and read a few. Are the complaints about something that matters to you, like hygiene, safety or billing, or about something minor? Also notice how the business responds. A polite, specific reply is a good sign.
Check beyond reviews
Call or message the business with a simple question before visiting. Their response tells you a lot. Check that the address, phone number and timings are consistent everywhere, and ask friends or neighbours who have used them.
Leave honest reviews yourself
Good local businesses depend on genuine feedback. After a visit, leave a short, specific review: what you used, what was good and what could be better. On TownTrove, reviews are checked before they appear on a listing.