Why You Can’t Always Trust the ‘Best’ Search Results
WSJ Tech News Briefing
Deep Dive
Why is Atlanta a popular location for building data centers?
Atlanta is popular for data centers due to its cheap land, affordable electricity, and excellent fiber optic internet connectivity, which are essential for large computing services. These factors make it an attractive location for real estate developers and tech companies.
What concerns do Atlanta residents and lawmakers have about data centers?
Atlanta residents and lawmakers are concerned that data centers are consuming land that could be used for housing, particularly around transit corridors. The city faces a housing shortage and affordability crisis, and there are worries that once the land is occupied by data centers, it will no longer be available for future housing projects.
Why should shoppers be cautious about sponsored links in search results?
Shoppers should be cautious because sponsored links are paid advertisements that may not lead to legitimate or independent review sites. For example, a site like ProductReports.org appeared as a sponsored link but turned out to be a marketing site rather than an unbiased consumer ratings platform.
How can consumers identify fake review websites?
Consumers can identify fake review websites by checking for red flags such as non-functional social media links, stock photos used for alleged experts, and lack of verifiable contact information. Additionally, if a site claims to have been featured on major platforms like Fox News but lacks evidence, it is likely unreliable.
What are the red flags in five-star reviews on platforms like Trustpilot?
Red flags in five-star reviews include vague or overly positive comments, reviews from users who haven’t received the product, and inconsistencies like missing links to the review platform. Negative reviews that mention issues like poor customer service or undelivered products are also warning signs.
What actions did Trustpilot take after discovering inflated reviews for SnapBuy?
Trustpilot removed SnapBuy’s 4.4-star rating and issued a warning on its website after discovering that the reviews were inflated and potentially misleading. This action was taken after investigative reporting highlighted the suspicious nature of the reviews.
- Mint Mobile advertises price reduction.
- The episode covers data center construction in Atlanta and deceptive marketing tactics online.
- Thanks to production team and personnel.
Shownotes Transcript