How Savvy Are You With Local Reviews?

Discover your local review mastery level! In just 4 quick questions, we'll assess how well you navigate review sites, spot fake reviews, and make informed decisions about Canadian businesses. Find out if you're making critical mistakes that could cost you time and money—or if you're already a review pro. Get personalized insights and a custom action plan to level up your consumer research skills.

When you're looking for reviews about a local business in Canada, what's your typical first step?

I glance at the star rating and move on—that tells me everything I need to know. I check Google My Business and read a couple of reviews quickly. I start with Google My Business, then cross-reference Yelp and other platforms to compare ratings. I read 5-10 detailed reviews across multiple platforms, looking for recurring patterns and checking reviewer credibility.

How do you typically handle negative reviews when evaluating a business?

One bad review is enough to make me skip the business entirely. I read a few negative reviews but don't dig too deep into understanding what went wrong. I look for patterns in negative reviews to see if the same issues appear multiple times. I analyze negative reviews for specificity, check how the business responds, and assess whether the complaints match my priorities.

When you spot a suspicious review (vague praise, generic language, or part of a sudden cluster), what do you do?

I don't really think about whether reviews might be fake—I assume they're all real. I notice something seems off, but I'm not sure what to do about it. I flag it as potentially suspicious and give more weight to verified reviews instead. I identify the red flags, verify the reviewer's history, check for unverified vs. verified reviews, and adjust my trust level accordingly.

How do you decide which reviews are most relevant to your decision-making?

I focus on the most recent reviews and assume they're always the most accurate. I prioritize reviews from people who seem to have similar priorities to mine, and I prefer balanced 3-4 star reviews over extreme ones. I read reviews from established reviewers with diverse histories, look for specific details, and consider the reviewer's perspective relative to my own needs. I mostly read the highest-rated and lowest-rated reviews since they're the most obvious.