Experts, including investor Maury Blackman, highlight that generative AI has become a potent tool for scammers, significantly increasing the volume of deceptive reviews since mid-2023.

In response to the growing issue of fraudulent reviews, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken legal action against companies like Rytr, which was sued for its role in facilitating the creation of fake reviews.

Fake reviews are not limited to one sector; they are prevalent across various industries, including e-commerce, lodging, restaurants, and medical care.

Research indicates that even experts struggle to differentiate between AI-generated and human-written reviews, with detection tools often failing on shorter texts typical of reviews.

AI-generated reviews have surged on platforms like Amazon and Yelp, complicating consumers' ability to discern genuine feedback from fraudulent content.

Recent analysis by The Transparency Company revealed that nearly 14% of 73 million reviews across various sectors, including home and medical services, are likely fake, with 2.3 million potentially generated by AI.

The FTC's ban on fake reviews, effective since October 2024, allows for penalties against violators, although tech companies are not held legally responsible for user-generated content.

To combat review fraud, the Coalition for Trusted Reviews has been formed by major companies to share best practices and enhance AI detection systems.

While some individuals use AI tools to improve their legitimate reviews, particularly non-native English speakers seeking better language accuracy, the overall impact of AI on review integrity remains concerning.

DoubleVerify has reported a notable rise in mobile and smart TV apps utilizing AI-generated reviews, which often mislead users into downloading harmful applications.

Despite claims from tech companies that they are blocking many fraudulent reviews, experts argue that these efforts fall short compared to the overwhelming volume of fake reviews still present.

Additionally, businesses sometimes incentivize customers with rewards like gift cards to leave positive reviews, further complicating the authenticity of online feedback.