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Any recommendations for Yelp alternatives? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

4 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Since Yelp lets businesses pay to revise reviews and advertise for top results, I was wondering if there were any good open source/non-monetized review sites or apps that people have tried out? I usually compare to google reviews and read some of the top reviews to try and filter out the junk, but I know I'm still getting weighted star ratings and promoted content.

A quick search revealed https://lib.reviews/ but I didn't see a ton of content.

It'd also be great to find an alternative to the shitshow that is amazon product reviews. It would be great to find non-manipulated user opinions. Obviously every review system is going to have bad actors but it's nice when the site itself isn't the one in charge and there's some transparency.

Any recommendations or ideas for how to find feedback on stuff to buy?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

From my experience, nothing beats your local community, be it a blog, forum, whatsapp/discord etc groups. This is especially true for local restaurants and services (plumbers, electricians, roofers etc). Join your neighbourhood online groups, if only to lurk for info.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

+1. Any public reviews are prone to pay-to-play influences and it's only a matter of time. Smaller communities, groups are the way to go.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Yelp not only “lets” businesses pay, they harass them until they pay, or switch the algorithm to show more negative reviews.

Re: Amazon, I always look at recent 1-star reviews to get the truth.

I also search online for reviews/ratings. Consumer Reports remains reputable and you can join and cancel month-to-month easily. I also understand Good Housekeeping only allows items to be marked by them for a year at a time, so they also seem to be reputable.

I just wish Amazon would also review search tags. It’s so frustrating to be looking for something and have the results full of unrelated products, duplicates, and other crap. I mean, if I’m looking for a replacement elongated toilet seat, don’t show me round ones, towel holders, and shower steamers!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

OpenTable beats the pants of Yelp for restaurant reviews.