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Comment by AuthorizedCust | Hacker News Reader

Why do we trust Fakespot? I’ve found their (secret) algorithm to have questionable results. Just yesterday, its analysis highlighted a positive review as the top negative review for a product. I’ve come across several examples of crap products with gamed reviews (evidenced by negative reviews with documentation) that it didn’t detect.

Also, there are concerns about how much of our data their browser plug-in is vacuuming up.

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Conversely I’ve come across great results using Fakespot. Looking at their analysis of pricing over time has told me when I should not buy a product, and I appreciate when they show me reviews that they believe are suspicious. I commend you for placing so much trust in Amazon, I’ve never seen anyone else like you, but the experience and trust level for the rest of us on Amazon is severely low.

Strawman and false dichotomy fallacies here. 1. I didn’t say Amazon is great, but that’s what you’re responding to. 2. There are more choices than a. Amazon is great and b. Fakespot is great.

I really don’t know who to trust. Fakespot has had far too many problems. My current method is to mainly check 2 and 3 star reviews, hoping for maximum truthiness.

My algorithm is evolving, but currently: if there are only a few reviews, assume they are fake. If there are a lot of reviews, read the one star reviews and see if they sound like idiots or people who know what they are talking about.

It doesn't matter if you trust their app or not anymore. You don't have that choice because Apple took it away from you.

That's a very weird remark. You could say that same about any company and you haven't given any reasonable accusation for it.

Source of browser plugins can be viewed and people.

Considering the other thread, many people found it useful and Amazon clearly doesn't recognize the problem. While we all know it is one ( fake reviews).

I’m suggesting that Fakespot might not be effective at weeding out fake reviews. We can’t see their core algorithm. We don’t know how they determine a score. Often times, their scoring feels as good as random selection.

Seeing the core algorithm is not a requirement for many things.

In the other thread, others found it useful. Your suggesting it's not, so iv suppose you are a regular user?

Why do we trust the company that bans pro-freedom Apps for dictators, hands your emails and data over to the US government, bans competition, and lies about hardware issues?

Relative privation fallacy here. Amazon’s issues do not make Fakespot OK. I’m asking about Fakespot.

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