The Fake Review Threat
Fake reviews can come in two forms:
- Fake negative reviews attacking your store
- Fake positive reviews on competitor sites
Both damage your business.
Who Posts Fake Reviews?
Competitors
Trying to damage your reputation or boost their own.
Disgruntled Individuals
Revenge attacks from any perceived slight.
Extortionists
Threatening negative reviews unless paid.
Bot Networks
Automated reputation attacks at scale.
Warning Signs
- Sudden spike in negative reviews
- Reviews from non-customers
- Similar language across reviews
- Reviews mentioning things you don’t sell
- Geographic clustering of negative reviews
Business Impact
Lost Sales
Negative reviews directly reduce conversions.
Brand Damage
Reputation takes years to build, moments to damage.
Emotional Toll
Fake attacks are frustrating and demoralizing.
Defense Strategies
Documentation
Screenshot and record suspicious reviews with timestamps.
Platform Reporting
Most platforms have policies against fake reviews.
Response Strategy
Professional responses show your side to readers.
Traffic Blocking
Reduce ability to post fake reviews:
- VPN blocking
- Geographic restrictions
- IP blocking
SecurEcommerce Protection
While review platforms control their content, you can reduce attack surface:
- Block VPN traffic often used for fake reviews
- Geographic restrictions
- IP blocking for identified attackers