Revealed: How to spot a fake vacation review written by AI – from the glowing five-star experience with no ‘human spark’ to the ‘red flag’ profile. Could YOU spot a robot review?

Have you ever visited a restaurant with rave online reviews and found that the food didn’t live up to expectations at all?

You may have been the victim of a fake review written using AI.

In 2023, Google blocked or removed 170 million fake reviews, while Tripadvisor blocked two million misleading reviews.

Are there ways to spot a fake review?

Yes, there are, according to AI experts from AIPRMwho sell ChatGPT products. Here they share their top tips for figuring out which reviews are real and which are computer-written, from over-the-top praise to red flag profiles.

AI experts from AIPRM have shared their best tips to spot fake reviews online

Look for generic gimmicks

The AIPRO team says: ‘When reading through reviews for your next adventure, be aware of generic jargon that sounds like it could apply to anything. AI-generated reviews sometimes feel like they’ve been plucked from a generic, one-size-fits-all script – bland, vague, and lacking that human spark.’

According to the experts, real reviews often include “little details” such as a “cozy corner in a cafe” or a “secret dish that only the locals know about.”

Possible fake review: “The place is great. Everything works. I recommend it.”

Example of a real review: ‘I stayed at this charming inn for a weekend and the garden views were breathtaking! The local coffee was a delight, although the wifi could do with a boost.’

Analyze the reviewer’s profile

“Go into detective mode,” says the AIPRO team. The experts say: “Study the reviewer’s profile for clues about authenticity. Authentic travelers often have a collection of reviews from different places and experiences.

“If you come across a profile with only a few reviews that were all posted around the same date, or if there is no personal information like a profile picture or bio, that’s a red flag.”

Potentially fake profile: A reviewer who has posted three rave reviews within a day or week, all for different places.

Example of a real profile: A reviewer with varied feedback on hotels, restaurants and tours, spread over time.

Look for extreme opinions

According to the AIPRO team, a “clear sign” of a fake AI review is “overly positive” or “extremely negative feedback,” but lacks “real details” to back this up.

They say: ‘Real reviews are more like travel diaries, highlighting both the sparkles and hiccups of someone’s trip. Look for balanced feedback that acknowledges both the pros and cons of a place or service – one that mentions the great views but also acknowledges a noisy street, or the delicious food but comments on the slow service.’

Possible fake review: ‘This hotel is absolutely perfect!’

Example of a real review: ‘The view of the beach was beautiful and the staff was friendly, but the room could use a bit more soundproofing due to street noise.’

The AIPRO team explains that a “clear sign” of a fake AI review is “overly positive” or “overly negative feedback,” but that there are no “real details” to back this up

Cross-referencing reviews on multiple platforms

AIPRO’s team of experts says: ‘Don’t just rely on one website for your review research. Be smart and compare reviews across platforms like Tripadvisor, Google Reviews, and Yelp to get the full picture.

“Consistent feedback across sites can indicate real experiences shared by real users.”

Possible fake review: A restaurant that has only 5-star reviews on one site, but shows mixed ratings on other sites.

Example of a real review: A hotel with generally positive reviews on various platforms, interspersed with a few constructive comments.

Investigate the timing of reviews

The team warns: “If you see a flood of positive reviews within a short period of time, especially if they are all overly positive or negative, this could be a sign that AI is at play.

“Fake AI reviews often appear in clusters, unlike authentic reviews that come in over time as users share their unique travel experiences at different times.”

Possible fake review: A hotel receives dozens of rave reviews, all posted within a few days or hours.

Example of a real review: A hotel has reviews spread over several months, with travelers sharing their experiences at different times.