Many of you already know how the product reviewing system works, but for those who don't, read on as I reveal the high-drama, vindictive and back-biting side of this seemingly benign industry. I've been reviewing since May and am astounded at some of the things I see.
First, an overview of the system itself. Some companies have products that are either new to the market or new to them as sellers. Many choose to discount a number of promotional copies of that product in an effort to accomplish one of two things. First, the seller may be collecting data regarding quality control of the manufacturer by asking for product testers. Others may use the system to simply promote the product and gain exposure through successful click throughs on Amazon (the reviewer clicks through to the product and then purchases). These successful click throughs, coupled with positive reviews, can skyrocket the product in standing when search results are returned. Instead of appearing on page ten of a set of search returns, a well promoted quality product can reach page one in short shrift.
So where do the companies find people to purchase and review their promotions? There are a plethora of places where reviewers congregate and wait for products to appear that might be of interest. The seller can, in those places, choose to offer a substantial discount on the product or a free item in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. There are dedicated websites where reviewers apply for these promotion or others where a code is generated on request--a code that will apply the discount at checkout on Amazon. There are also email groups that will notify subscribers of opportunities available. Alternatively, there are sellers who will reach out directly to reviewers whose experience is reflected in a reviewer ranking number that appears on everyone's Amazon profile. Some reviewers even "pitch" sellers by touting their expertise and offering to apply that expertise to a review for the company's product. Each of these delivery vehicles for promotions carry with it some avenues for deceit, but they pale by comparison when viewed alongside the Facebook groups.
Many enterprising entrepreneurs and some highly motivated reviewers take to social media, namely Facebook, to bring together groups of people who enjoy reviewing. These groups range from a few dozen to literally thousands of members. The administrators of these groups work with sellers to distribute codes for discounted products. The administrator agrees to hold the group members to a high standard, which includes the quality of the reviews as well as the time frame in which a review will be posted after the reviewer receives the product. The seller agrees to provide a limited number of the promoted product in exchange for those reviews. Here, folks, is where it gets dicey. Whilst most administrators run tight ships with lots of levity and light hearted banner, there is, believe it or not, a nefarious lot who use the system to their own advantage.
The first issue I've witnessed is one that is due to the power hungry administrator. This is the person who rants, raves, paces and types in all caps. They shame members for minor infractionss, post unrealistic time frames and then expect complete and total submissive behavior on the part of all members. "All hail the chief" is the only thing these administrators want to hear. For the most part, these folks are harmless and, in spite of their hot air, do little damage to the industry as a whole or to individual reviewers. The next violation is not so impersonal.
The second, and probably most abhorrent, abuse of the system is from a number of administrators and fellow reviewers who use the ranking system on Amazon to terrorize those with whom they do not agree. First, one needs to understand the convoluted reviewing rank, which is intentionally vague and obscure to prevent abuses. Every person who reviews is issued a "rank" number. That number is generally determined by the quality of the review, the number of reviews written and the number of "helpful" votes in a review. Below every review that appears on the Amazon site there is an option to anonymously click to say whether or not the review is "helpful". Those clicks translate into what reviewers call "upvotes" or "downvotes". The percentage of upvotes also appears on a reviewers profile and is calculated into the resulting and all important reviewer rank. So reviewers often compete to raise their rankings, which can range from in the millions to the coveted top 100 spots. The better the rank, the more offers that reviewer is likely to receive.
So how is this system of rank used by some dishonest Facebook group administrators? There are dozens of ways, but several are so deceitful they fly in the face of everything positive about human nature. First, some people create groups and solicit members who then have to fill out sometimes lengthy applications. One of the required pieces of information is a link to the applicant's reviewer profile on Amazon. With this link, that admin now has access to every review written by that reviewer. The reviewer is then removed from the group, and the administrator uses that profile link to downvote as many of that person's reviews as possible and still fly under Amazon's radar. This eventually hurts the reviewer's rank, thus lowering their number. This results in a more open field for others to move up the ladder as well as less competition for products reserved for high ranking reviewers. These same admins will often troll members' Facebook pages (a requirement of joining a group is friending the admin so that they can directly message you with codes) with a specific agenda.
This writer was removed from a group recently for posting memes promoting gay rights. Within one hour of being removed from the group, the downvotes on reviews began flooding in and this reviewer's helpfulness percentage dropped from 98% to 89% in one evening--a whopping 32 downvotes were recorded over a span of two hours. The administrators who engage in this manipulative behavior also will solicit equally as immoral friends to join in the downvoting to destroy the reviewer's rank and reputation.
Some have downplayed this entire, ridiculous and potentially hurtful game as being nothing more than a return to the "mean girls" high school mentality and have urged others to ignore it. The truth of the matter is, however, that some reviewers take the job (yes, job) very seriously. Many put in long hours writing reviews, producing product videos and looking for new opportunities. To have that dismissed is disheartening at best, maddening at worst. Some reviewers, especially those who may be severely disabled, find that the social and intellectual challenges and rewards of reviewing transcend any physical or emotional challenges they face in their every day lives and enjoy the release from those constraints. Others seek to obtain and review items for their homes, and toys for their children, that they otherwise would not have been able to afford. In these cases, the actions of vile and disgusting people who use their power to destroy can be truly devastating.
This morning I read a well written piece on another blog that just made me sick. I'm linking it here for your perusal-and to thank the author for her courage.
The woman named on the blog as the offender is an administrator of a group to which I once belonged and from which I was summarily, and without explanation, dismissed. The damage this woman is wreaking is incomprehensible. The fact that she continues to promote herself as a genuine administrator with morals is nauseating. I'm sure my own reviews have already taken a hit from she and her partners in crime. I'm lucky and blessed not to have to rely on my hobby reviewing. I have over 87 downvotes already, some on comprehensive, well done reviews with complex product testing evidence and accompanying reviews. A few of my reviews appear on latter pages of the product's feedback, and yet have been dug out of the archives for a downvote. I have to shake my head and wonder why folks have that kind of time to destroy the work I created. On one hand, I am appalled, whilst on the other I am flattered. I didn't think I was that important.
Warn your fellow reviewer friends and watch your backs, tread lightly and choose your groups wisely. Be careful with whom you socialize and keep your head down. That is not the kind of interaction I aspire to, however, so as I continue to wear my heart on my sleeve, my rank as reflected here (https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2ZPSTI5M0SZ57) will continue to slip in to oblivion. Eventually the only products I may be offered are over-stocked selfie sticks. And I'm ok with that.
