When we have too many options, confusion spurs up.
Thats what its happening around in the tech tool world, where user has been exposed to so many tools for search, organise, monetise… Its not only in tech world, it happens in other chores of lifes and business.
Only way out is to rely on ratings given by other users. Ratings?? Have you seen some reviews/ratings on amazon or anyother e-commerce site, where a book gets 1-2 out of 10 (10 being the excellent) from first few reviewers, and that follows a flood of reviewers (promoters is better term) giving away 9-10 out of 10, only to raise the average review score for the book.
I know I can post rave reviews for a product I have vested interest, using different profiles.
What is the authenticity of the ratings then?? what is the authenticity of the reviewers itself??
I should say, Its not just about the fake reviews. How to handle situation where a new product (lets remain with example of book) gets into the hand of a person with entirely different taste and posts negative comments. Product may be cool but the reviewer may not be amongst the target user. This is from publishers or producers perspective.
How to avoid negative publicity due to non-target comsumer ?
Best bet for a potential buyer would be to see reviews from the people he/she knows. To much extent it solves concerns of both perspectives (buyers and producers). When a potential buyer see a referrals in the form of picklist from a person they know, potential buyer not only gets to know about the product reviews but can also co-relate with the reviewers other aspects (taste, choice, vested interests….) and can decide on relative rating and subsequently buying decision.
Referrals works better than just reviews. What do you think?
Pingback: SiliconVerse » Riff it !!