The Danger of Incentivizing Customer Reviews

Incentivizing customer reviews is a slippery slope. In this guide, we discuss why and how you can get more customer reviews for your brand. Check it out!

Parker Dietz

July 28, 2021

October 9, 2024

Image shows a sample review request email

Table of ContentsAre Incentivized Reviews Legal?recent data user-generated contentThere are a few reasons why customer reviews should be at the center of your marketing strategy. Customer reviews:Why Are Customer Reviews Important? like Cohley, marketing professionals can track users over time and see how ads are affecting their purchasing decisions.How to Get Customer Reviews on your other social platforms.What Is an Incentivized Review?Start By Asking Current Customers prohibits customer reviews that are incentivized, even if a disclosure is made. with our team today!Whenever something is beneficial to a business, its legality always comes into question. The same goes for incentivized reviews.Even with all of that, incentivizing reviews is not yet illegal. However, the Federal Trade Commission does offer specific guidance for reviews. For example, the Bad reviews surface issues and weaknesses in your product or service that may have escaped notice through your usual QA processes and testing. They can also highlight new and innovative ways to use a product or service that may work for different demographics, expanding the reach of your brand.Develop a Two-Way Communication ChannelDon’t Incentivize, Get Creative With Your Review Strategyins and outs of reviewsHow to Get Customer Reviews by giving reviewers family zoo passes for great reviews. In this case, Yelp named and shamed the business and both platforms removed their reviews.So how do you get reviews when you can’t buy them? We have a whole article on the Reviews are a fantastic way to open a two-way communication channel with your clients. Helping and engaging with your customers can inspire repeat purchases and create a sense of community. for your viewing pleasure, so we’ll keep it brief.Here's an awesome example from the experts at as prohibiting genuine information online. Therefore, incentivized reviews are not permitted on Google and a wide range of other platforms.A picture says a thousand words, especially on social media. Encourage your users to post pics of your product on their platform of choice, such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. Make sure they use your hashtag!Repeat customers are obviously satisfied with your product or service. Why not get them to write about it too? Using a The more customers that agree that your product is fire, the more customers that will come in, experience what you have to offer, and provide great reviews.Why Are Customer Reviews Important?You can then display a feed on your website that showcases photos and videos that feature your hashtag. Plus, it's easy to use this Schedule a consultationHelp Identify Weaknesses in Your Products & ServicesFor example, brands may offer product discounts or other benefits. Of course, some may even go so far as to pay for customer reviews, a practice that might just land them in hot water.Customer reviews have been around since the dawn of time. After all, they continuously prove to be incredible marketing tools for promoting brands.The Legality of Customer Reviewsbad reviewsSo all together, yes, incentivized reviews toe the line of being illegal. It's best to avoid them altogether.Create and build trust in your brandFor example, just saying "thanks" to someone who left a great review is a simple way of connecting. And replying with kindness to a less-than-perfect review could inspire the reviewer to give your product another shot.Develop a two-way communication channel, 93% of consumers say that brand trust influences their buying decisions.FTC law firm solicited reviewsThis is not a new thing; back in 2018, a Unfortunately, many brands struggle when it comes to generating reviews. How do you get more of them without crossing a line? That's exactly what we plan to show you in this guide.Identify Repeat CustomersHelp identify weaknesses in your products and services:Create & Build Trust in Your BrandOther websites and platforms carry heavy financial and legal penalties for incentivized reviews. For example, organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), carry a financial penalty. In fact, the The adage “if you don’t ask, you don’t receive” is especially true in online reviews. The best way to get reviews is to add an email to your sequence specifically asking for them.Incentivized reviews are out. Instead, get creative with your review strategy while providing authentic reviews to your audience. Trying out Cohley's product review generation service is the perfect next step. This aids in developing highly personalized outreach strategies that win high-quality product reviews. are just as valuable.Start a Hashtag and Set Up a Feed on Your Website states companies should disclose when reviews were incentivized.GoogleDue to the benefits of reviews, many companies feel it necessary to do whatever it takes to get them. In some cases, brands may attempt to offer incentives for leaving reviews. This is what's known as an incentivized review.Why? Customers trust the authentic recommendations of others. And according to The Legality of Customer Reviews WordstreamWhat Is an Incentivized Review?BBB platformWhile it may be an appealing method for garnering reviews, incentivized reviews have been explicitly called out by giants like Everyone loves good reviews, and they really do help your product thrive online. But

Parker Dietz

Head of Content

With a wealth of knowledge about competitors and pricing, Parker is all about exploring the best way to communicate Cohley's benefits. Outside of work, Parker enjoys poorly playing guitar at parties, watching every Adam Sandler movie ever made, and eating Arabic food.