The explosion of online consumer reviews has certainly changed the way we shop. Whether we’re picking our next dinner reservation on Yelp or weeding through the top comments on Amazon, the voices of others have a profound impact on how we feel before we buy. It’s also given us a channel to chip in our opinion for others.
But how much do we trust consumer reviews? Sometimes reviews are doctored by the people promoting their products, and other times reviewers unfairly or incorrectly communicate their experience. The helpful stream of information can easily become a swamp of uncertainty.
The next time you start your search for “the best” of something, consider checking out Wirecutter. Wirecutter is a website created and maintained by the New York Times. Billed as “reviews for the real world,” Wirecutter, “supports our readers with thousands of hours of reporting and testing to help you find the stuff you need in order to live a better life.” Reviews on the site “are made through vigorous reporting, interviewing, and testing by teams of veteran journalists, scientists, and researchers.”
While the site does often receive a commission for links to products they recommend, they offer full disclosure on these incentives and stand by the fair reviews of the deals they present. Check out dozens of categories including well-written and expertly researched reviews:
