I noticed some products getting an incredibly high product review rate of 4%, and mostly 5 stars. A statistical improbability, considering the norm is below 1%, this got me curious. Turns out there are Amazon review booster software platforms, enabling sellers to gin up high # of 5-star reviews quick.

These review booster agencies promise to deliver a dramatic increase in the product review rate, showcasing happy testimonials from Amazon sellers. Very tempting, but I decided against using them as their tactic smelled fishy, luring buyers with a big coupon or a giveaway. They may not technically violate the letter of the Amazon policy prohibiting customer review manipulation (by including the verbiage "this coupon or giveaway doesn't depend on you leaving a review"). But most customers seeking a coupon/giveaway would instinctively link their review and the coupon/giveaway offer, and most would leave a 5-star review (Wouldn't you if you were a contestant in a giveaway sweepstake or big coupon recipient?). Though not fake, these reviews come drunk with incentives.

On top of that, these review booster agencies are soliciting reviews outside the Amazon buyer-seller messaging platform. They call their review request a “Customer Survey”, but it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck. Isn’t this duck in violation of the Amazon Seller Code of Conduct?

Amazon should clarify if this kind of product review tactic is ok or not so that the rest of us rule-abiding sellers aren’t disadvantaged against those who are stretching the rules. Please share your thoughts.