One of the algo Google is using to rate local listing on products and service is being attacked by an academic who said online reviews are not a good metric of measuring quality of services. Except from the article follows:

Five-star product ratings on Amazon and restaurant review websites have long reassured online shoppers and diners that they will not be wasting their money.

Now, however, new research suggests that perhaps we should treat some of them with caution.

The findings, to be published in the Economic Journal, show that, in a world where everyone is competing to get their message across, there is a strong incentive for people to express extreme opinions.



source: guardian