Many consumers look at crowdsourced reviews on TripAdvisor or Yelp and understand there is a possibility that a review could be bogus. Sites like these generally have methods for detecting and blocking fake write-ups, but regulators in Italy say that TripAdvisor isn’t doing enough to stop the faux reviews and has to pay up or enact stricter policies. Reuters reports that the regulator has concluded its seven-month investigation into allegations by Italian hotel owners that TripAdvisor fails to sufficiently block fraudulent reviews from being published — especially since the site presents its content as being the authentic feedback from actual travelers. TripAdvisor’s own text touts “over 200 million candid reviews, opinions, and photos of hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more – all by travelers like you,” but the Italian regulator says such claims are “misleading information about the sources of its reviews” that TripAdvisor should stop publishing. The site has been fined 500,000 euros ($612,000), but also has 90 days to file a response. TripAdvisor tells Reuters that is plans to appeal the ruling, saying that the site’s “systems and procedures are extremely efficient in protecting consumers from a small minority of people who try to con our system.” Crowdsourced review sites are incredibly controversial, especially in the food and hospitality industries.

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Topics:  yelp   italy   italian   tripadvisor s   crowdsourced   england   tripadvisor   reuters   fined   block   fake reviews   hotel   site   write-ups   business   owners   consumers   sites   small   stop   regulator   travelers   

 

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