48% of businesses felt an impact by fake reviews | London Business News

A new report published today by the UK’s leading online reputation management consultancy, Igniyte, has highlighted the damaging impact that fake customer reviews and negative social media posts have had on UK businesses in the last year.

The report which surveyed 500 UK business owners, and managers who make strategy or marketing decisions, shows the damaging effect that negative online content is having on UK business’s reputation, specifically fake online reviews, and critical social media comments. The report also analyses the way businesses currently handle negative online content about their brand.

The new research found that 48% of UK businesses felt an impact on their company’s reputation and sales in the last year due to negative content about their brand online.

39% of businesses say that they have been directly affected by fake reviews on platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, Trip Advisor, Reevoo and Reviews.co.uk in the last year.

A staggering 68% of businesses are now worried about fake reviews and 84% of managers say online reviews are critical to the financial and reputational state of their business.

Fake or negative online reviews are now seen as the biggest threat to the reputation of UK businesses in 2021. However, the data shows 47% of businesses do not actively deal with or respond to their online reviews.

Additionally, 71% of businesses say critical posts and malicious comments on social media are the most damaging form of online content to…

Read more…