Trust center / THE PRACTICAL CHECKLIST

5-star reviews for sale: what to know

Offers advertised as “5 star reviews for sale” promise the outcome before an independent customer has expressed an opinion.

What to look for

A predetermined star requirement is different from paying for legitimate administrative work. The important questions are what happened, who is being represented, and what the incentive depends on—not whether the resulting text looks natural.

Make the review useful

For U.S. campaigns, consult the FTC rule guidance linked in the full explainer. Disclosure does not turn a prohibited sentiment condition into an acceptable arrangement. Platform restrictions require their own check.

Keep the limits in view

Do not judge a package by a guarantee of permanence or undetectability. Redirect the comparison toward a service with measurable deliverables, such as properly authorized monitoring, response approval, and issue tracking.

Can a disclosure fix a paid five-star condition?

The FTC guidance says businesses cannot condition review incentives on a particular sentiment, even with disclosure. The full article explains the U.S. scope and relevant distinctions.

GO DEEPER · THE REVIEW FIELD NOTES

Buying online reviews and five-star ratings: the risks

Understand paid-review offers, the U.S. FTC rule, and better ways to invest in genuine customer feedback.

Read the 7-minute guide ↗