Let Us All Write Genuine Product Reviews and Create Reliable Online Community

Last night it was my turn to cook. But, I convinced my wife and ordered online. My ploy of telling that she needed to buy new clothes worked, and she agreed to get a delivery.
While we waited for food, we searched for brands and discount deals for our upcoming shopping spree.
Restaurants delivered our pizza and burger on time. Yes, we ordered it from two different places. Burger was satisfying, but pizza was awful. It was too peppery. Even eating a slice was difficult. With a burning mouth, I grabbed my phone and rated it as one star.
I felt like — “Let me show you what it means to send appalling pizza.” Delighted, I felt as if I had done something worthwhile that day.
However, burger was filling. It could at least match a four-star meal. It sat quietly in our bellies and haunted us all night — You liked me, but never rated my creator. You are such a hypocrite.
The next morning I thought, why don’t we rate things we like? I mean, we rate inferior products at the very moment, but do not take effort to rate quality products. There could be 2 reasons-
- We see no benefit in rating better products — “They do not give us a free burger.” Instead, we prefer to use this time to scroll down on social media.
- We dislike pressuring our brains to think and our fingers to type. Opening the application, structuring our opinion, taking cues from other comments, and writing a sentence that makes sense is hell of a task for our tiny brains.
However, we never hesitate to give a critical review. To make the cook, the shopkeeper, the author, the producer, understand — they must improve. This mysterious act of our brain, because of rising frustration, makes us feel powerful. Showing power and digital authority serves our ego, and we are sending the message that your pizza can not mess with us.
But what about the writers, chefs, directors, change makers, store owners who spread happiness with their better products? Do you not want to show your power by spreading happiness and smiles, too? Is it not good for your ego that you, yes, you, with your positive review would put a smile on many faces?
Satisfactory or terrible, why we must write reviews for all we buy?
- We are in transition to a digital society. We can only expect a return if we give something back. Reviews are like tax we have to pay to be a good and worthy member of the digital society.
A digital society is a place where our house is made of glass. Everyone can see inside our house — what we do, what alleys we go down at night, who we follow, where we bump our head, and where we blink our eyes.
No one can hide anything, it’s like a marriage. Each of the partners has to give the best, otherwise it won’t work. It will break down and will take us away.
2. Rating system governs the entire digital industry. Imagine you are an author and someone read your book, liked it, but did not rate it. Think of the despair you feel when you don’t see those reviews on Amazon.
Reviews symbolize trust. It creates perception, and customer perception is our only reality. Read it again — customer perception is our only reality, no matter how good or bad our product is.
Online reviews create this perception. They are slowly and steadily replacing the perception that comes from word of mouth.
3. Honest reviews are a sign of sending good vibes and creating goodwill. Imagine doing something charitable, something good for others, helping others. We don’t get such opportunities in life to help and impact lives of so many people.
4. By reviewing products and companies, we create our digital identity. You will miss out big time, if you don’t do this, because only digital identity will matter in the future.
On Amazon, you can become an Amazon Influencer — a sign that people trust your opinion. It’s a sign of integrity, even though it’s designed by some algorithms. People will trust your reviews.
On Google maps, you can become a local guide. Your comments will help people to reach their destination.
5. Writing reviews give a sense of power. We all need some power in our lives. The forms of power vary, but people need that authority to do something on their own. The rating system gives us that power. We better use it before someone takes it away.
6. If you give reviews, then owners, artists, and producers will not give money to get reviews. This way we should be able to curb digital corruption, which will soon be the biggest in the coming times.
It is now high time we accept this new reality. Looking at the developments, digital society will thrive in the years to come. We have the power today to shape it as we want. Writing reviews is the easiest we can contribute in this process. The next generation will follow what we setup today as moral conducts of the digital world.
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I have published this post on my medium profile as well.
I agree with you ttoally and the experience you have shared is also quite relatable
ReplyDeleteGlad, you can relate to it, Thank you
DeleteIntereting perspective, never really gave this much thought but makes total sense.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Reliable reviews are need of the hour.
ReplyDeleteMost of us look at reviews while buying a product but we hesitate to write reviews (I am also guilty of this). I am so glad you wrote this post; it has inspired me to write more reviews in the future.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree with you. We shy away from writing reviews and your reasoning was perfect.
ReplyDeleteBeing a blogger, I realize the power of reviews and their impact on the buying industry. We must say aloud our opinion.
ReplyDeleteHonest reviews are a rare thing, these days!
ReplyDeleteTrue, I try to be as genuine as possible while giving reviews even if the brand has sent me the products for free. I want an audience who believes in me.
ReplyDeleteI like your views. However, these everyone is doing paid review where it is asked to rate product 5 star. Even I have done this type of collabs in past. When I realize the damage it is doing, I stopping doing paid reviews. Thus it has become hard to go with review given on different sites.
ReplyDeleteWe create a lot of brand awareness by writing product reviews. A lot of products services that I want to try but dont know ho wgood they are, reviews help me decide often
ReplyDeleteYour post has made me introspect. I too quite often rate only when dissatisfied, almost never when satisfied. I think I should start reviewing products more
ReplyDeleteThis post is kind of an eye opener for me, I rarely write reviews but I do talk about my favorites directly or indirectly in my posts and videos.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. Most people focus only on the negative. I am a Google Guide and was an influencer on Amazon but I dunno why I have been blocked from giving a review. I am a genuine customer since 2014. I know many who give fake reviews in exchange for products. They are not banned. Sorry state of affairs
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of product reviews. I agree its important to write honest reviews.
ReplyDeleteYour post is on point. We tend to rate things we dislike but don't appreciate the ones we like. Also the way life is.
ReplyDeleteAgree. We should share reviews. I always do that whenever I buy anything from Amazon.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, I will start writing product reviews on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to be more interested in writing negative reviews than positive ones!
ReplyDeleteI agreed with you have said. As a Google local guide I understand the importance of reviewing online and rating #LifemarblesRead
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that product reviews are required. It is true that when something falls short of our expectations, we do not hesitate to write a negative review. However, it is equally vital to write positive reviews as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I keep on doing reviews and if the product or service is good ,thank specially to the seller.
ReplyDeleteI am just getting started with Google Maps reviews.
ReplyDeleteVery right. The reviews help the supplier and future consumer alike. They should be genuine. I do so, but this post has been an eye opener on many concepts.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you. Writing an honest review can be helpful for many people. Well written post.
ReplyDeleteHonest reviews do help potential consumers.
ReplyDeleteThe way you started with your personal experience is very nice. After your article, I do feel that all products that we buy must be reviewed. I will make sure to do so.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. People only write a product review when there is a problem with it and not if they are satisfied. The reviews should always be honest.
ReplyDeleteReviews are appreciated when they are positive, I remember writing a bad review for a dermatologist in my city on google and her reply was super rude. It’s challenging to be honest at all times. But nevertheless will continue writing reviews for places I visit and products I use
ReplyDeleteWow, Chetan! You have completely changed and expanded my mind about reviews. I'm saving this one as a reminder. Great post! #MyFriendAlexa #TinasPicks
ReplyDeleteYes I so agree to this. As a blogger I give reviews if the products that I love the most this would help others decide
ReplyDeleteReally helpful down to the ground, happy to read such a useful post. I got a lot of information through it and I will surely keep it in my mind. Keep sharing. Babocush Reviews
ReplyDeleteThis is such a relevant post. I've done exactly the same - angrily given a bad review. When it comes to a good meal or Uber driver I act as if 'that's how it should be' and don't bother. On the other hand, I look at reviews when buying things. Must change that.
ReplyDelete