Cracking Down on Fake Reviews

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: What problems might fake reviews lead to?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence: 

• Why did Dr. Mark J. Mohrmann pay marketers to post fake reviews? Why do you think the author begins the article with this anecdote? (Dr. Mohrmann paid marketers to post fake reviews to boost his business with positive online ratings. Beginning the article with this anecdote helps set up the central ideas of the article: that businesses can use the internet to deceive the public and that regulators are cracking down on fake reviews.)

• According to the article, experts believe that the problem might be “insurmountable.” What evidence in the “Difficult to Police” section supports this viewpoint? (The article states that many deceptive marketers are based overseas, which limits the F.T.C.’s ability to to police the problem. The article also notes that A.I. makes fake reviews easier to write.)

• Why do industry watchdogs blame large platforms for the problem? Do you agree with this viewpoint? Why or why not? (Industry watchdogs think platforms should do more than rely on users to self-police fake reviews and should disclose when companies might be fraudulent. Opinions about whether platforms are to blame will vary, but students should support their ideas with reasoning.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the Real or Fake? activity. Have students use the form to evaluate the credibility of one or more of the reviews they read online.

4. Writing Prompt
What can be done to protect people from fake reviews? Propose a preventive measure companies or consumers can take.

5. Classroom Debate
Should platforms be held financially responsible if users fall for fake reviews?

6. Quiz & Skills
Use the quiz to assess comprehension and the Be the Editor skill sheet to review grammar skills.