What is it about?
Research shows that computational algorithms can classify online reviews as authentic or fake based on linguistic nuances. This study examines whether Internet users can process reviews in an algorithmic manner to discern authenticity.
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Why is it important?
It shows that humans can spot fake reviews. However this is only true if they take online information with a pinch of salt.
Perspectives
You only see what you look for and miss the rest. Online users often fail to detect fake reviews because they do not proactively look for deception cues. So there is a need to change this default review reading habit to a critical reading habit. And if the critical review reading habit is practised long enough, people will eventually be able to rely on their gut instinct for fake review detection.
Dr Snehasish Banerjee
University of York
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Calling out fake online reviews through robust epistemic belief, Information & Management, April 2021, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.im.2021.103445.
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Resources
How accurate are algorithms in detecting fake reviews online?
While companies can now use algorithms to distinguish fake reviews from real ones, the extent to which websites use the algorithms is unclear and hence some fake reviews may slip through the net.
Human instinct can be as useful as algorithms in detecting online 'deception'
Travellers looking to book a hotel should trust their gut instinct when it comes to online reviews rather than relying on computer algorithms to weed out the fake ones, a new study suggests.
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