After getting pressured by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Facebook shut down over 16,000 groups that were trading fake reviews on the platform.
Facebook Finally Cleans Up Fake Review Markets
The CMA has continually criticized Facebook (and other big tech platforms) for not doing enough to prevent fake review exchanges.
Untrustworthy sellers across Amazon and other online marketplaces are known for buying and displaying fake positive reviews. These phony reviews can trick customers into believing that the seller's product is better than it actually is. Conversely, sellers can also purchase fake negative reviews to leave on their competitors' products.
In 2019, the CMA first urged both Facebook, Instagram, and eBay to take action on the sale of fake reviews, and Facebook agreed to make the necessary changes to put a stop to this practice.
Since then, the CMA has continually urged Facebook to do more to tackle this issue. The CMA's most recent report on the UK government's website revealed that Facebook has removed over 16,000 groups dedicated to buying and selling fake reviews.
Andrea Coscelli, the chief executive of the CMA, highlighted the importance of authentic product reviews, especially during the pandemic:
The pandemic has meant that more and more people are buying online, and millions of us read reviews to enable us to make informed choices when we shop around. That’s why fake and misleading reviews are so damaging—if people lose trust in online reviews, they are less able to shop around with confidence, and will miss out on the best deals.
Facebook remains committed to suspending and banning users who promote the trade of fake reviews. It has also introduced barriers that make it more difficult for users to search for groups that peddle fake reviews.
"We have engaged extensively with the CMA to address this issue. Fraudulent and deceptive activity is not allowed on our platforms, including offering or trading fake reviews," a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement to The Guardian. "Our safety and security teams are continually working to help prevent these practices."
Beware of Fake Reviews
Even though Facebook is cracking down on the sale of fake reviews, they're still an issue on many online marketplaces. When you see a product with consistent five-star reviews on Amazon, it's best to remain skeptical, regardless of how legit the reviews may seem.
Unfortunately, the 16,000 groups that Facebook removed likely make up just a small fraction of the fake review market across the web.