Tips to recognize if a doctor paid a company to post lots of positive reviews?

[Anonymous]

I got duped. A while back, I took my daughter to an allergist who had rave reviews and was very disappointed in many ways including the long wait. I never actually got to see the allergist and was instead stuck with a very nice medical assistant-or NP who answered a lot of questions with "the doctor will have to answer that" even though I was informed we would not see the doctor at this visit. I have found good NPs and have scheduled directly with them, but in this case I was lead to believe my appointment was with the doctor and in the past NPs or MAs would answer my questions.They were going to turn it into many visits for the prize of actually meeting the doctor. Mentioned the experience to another mom and she said "didn't you read the reviews?" Apparently all this and more was in the negative reviews of this doctor years ago. I didn't find ANY of it and we have been on the wait-list for quite a while to see a different allergist who will definitely be the person I see according the receptionist who also seemed to know the issue at the other place.

So clearly I should have asked around, but what are your tips to recognize fake reviews?

I noticed there were a lot of reviews all within a short time period (even a fair amount within the same few weeks) whereas usually reviews are spread out more. Other tips?

[Anonymous]

Don't rely on reviews.

Either they are mostly shills and fake.
OR
They are mostly just angry customers.

Not many people leave reviews when their experience with a company or product is favorable and "good enough."

So no matter what, online reviews are all pretty much biased and junk.

[Anonymous]

They pay for reviews. Also look at the articles about the "best doctor" magazines they do yearly, ALL PAID for by the doctors. Fake awards. I would ask for recommendations from friends or co-workers before trusting anyone online.

[Anonymous]

It's not perfect, but you can click on the reviewer and look at their other reviews. If the doctor review is their only review ever, that's suspicious. You want to look for reviews from people who have lots of reviews for a variety of local businesses.

[Anonymous]

I don't bother with reviews. People seldom take the time to leave good reviews, so often things are skewed.

I rely completely on word of mouth.

[Anonymous]

I don’t read reviews of physicians. I barely believe Amazon reviews, LOL. I also won’t see a NP or PA for an annual type appointment. I ask specifically if I will see the doctor and am happy to wait for a later appt, if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Even the bad reviews are often fake. For some reason rando trolls enjoy smearing someone they’ve never met and never will meet.