We are listing here few points to help reviewers understand how to write thoughtful reviews, that readers will find them informative, and that the content of the reviews provide useful feedback to business owners.
- Be informative and insightful
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Your review should be specific and relevant to the place you are reviewing and describe what other patrons are likely to experience. Describe why you liked or disliked the place. Highlight what makes the place special and try to share something novel. From favorite dishes to secret sale racks, reviews can describe unique experiences about a business. - Keep it real
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People read reviews to learn about real experiences from real people, so be authentic. Keep your reviews to your own, direct experience with a place. Try to describe your experience as accurately as possible, including both positive and negative aspects.
- Be respectful
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We don’t expect that every interaction you have with a place or business will be perfect. Sometimes, you’ll want to share negative feedback. Even if you’re frustrated, be sure your criticism is constructive. Business owners can use feedback to improve their business, but remember — they’re people too.
- Write in style
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People will pay more attention to what you say when you write your review thoughtfully. Keep it readable and don’t use excessive capitalization or punctuation. Use good grammar, check your spelling, and don’t use excessive profanity. Choose the right length: People aren’t necessarily looking for formal write-ups, they want to know what’s notable about a particular place. Whether it takes an essay or a tweet — share your thoughts and be creative.
Things to avoid while writing a review:
- Advertising and spam
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Nobody likes spam and it can only make its author look bad. Don’t use reviews for advertising or post the same or similar reviews across multiple places. Obviously, don’t post fake reviews intended to boost or lower ratings.
- Off-topic Reviews
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Reviews should describe your personal, first hand experience with a specific place. Do not post reviews based on someone else’s experience, or that are not about the specific place you are reviewing. Reviews are not a forum for personal attacks, rants or crusades. Please also do not use reviews to report incorrect information about a place.
- Conflict of interest
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Reviews are only valuable when they are honest and unbiased. Even if well-intentioned, a conflict of interest can undermine the trust in a review. Do not post reviews on behalf of others or misrepresent your identity or affiliation with the place you are reviewing.
