Read what people actually tested, when they wrote the reviews and which version they bought. Ten five-star delivery reviews cannot tell you whether a battery will last two years.
Consider ten fictional five-star reviews. Eight discuss fast delivery; two discuss the item after a week. That is useful information about delivery and early use. It gives little evidence about a battery lasting two years.
The FTC’s review guidance recommends considering sources and incentives when reading reviews. A label indicating a verified purchase can help confirm that the reviewer bought the item; it does not automatically verify every statement in the review.
Read the values
| Review topic | Number |
|---|---|
| Delivery | 8 |
| One week of use | 2 |
Look for details tied to your task. A lamp review mentioning desk size and brightness may help more than a generic compliment. A size complaint is easier to interpret when it names the measurements and the version ordered.
The FTC’s platform guide also examines how businesses collect and publish reviews. If negative submissions are treated differently, the visible set may give an incomplete account. A positive score alone cannot tell you whether the shop removed complaints. You would need to know how it handles submitted reviews.
Keep dates and product versions in view. A review of an older model may describe a different battery, fabric or return process. Use reviews to build specific questions for the seller, then seek direct answers where the decision depends on them.
Sources
FTC: How to evaluate online reviewsConsumer guidance on examining reviews and their source.
FTC: Featuring online customer reviewsGuidance on collecting, moderating and publishing reviews.