How to spot fake reviews on Amazon and other sites online

With the holidays around the corner, I’m gearing up for a whole lot of online shopping between now and Christmas. And while I’m glad the FTC is finally cracking down on fake and paid reviews, let’s be real — it’s not going to catch every bogus review out there.

So, here’s my go-to guide for spotting fake reviews and finding the real deal before you hit “Buy Now.”

Step 1: Use a site that does it for you

Fakespot vets reviews on Amazon, Walmart, eBay and lots of other sites and shows you how they score. I love that it gives you a letter rating. Anything graded C or below screams “Walk away!” to me. The best part? Fakespot’s free.

There’s another site like Fakespot called ReviewMeta. Instead of a letter grade, ReviewMeta shows an adjusted rating for the product, removing what it considers to be fake reviews.

You can use it for free by simply pasting the Amazon URL into ReviewMeta’s website or installing their browser extension.

(Btw, I love those Souper Cubes! They make a great gift, too.)

Step 2: Use your noggin

Fakespot and ReviewMeta aren’t foolproof. The AI they use is getting smarter, but so is the AI churning out sham reviews. Here are some tricks to try:

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A trick from the Komando brain

🧑‍🎄 I get stocking-stuffer shopping done early so I can focus on the bigger gifts later. (I won’t tell anyone if you get one of these for yourself!)

  • Guys, give your gal a jewelry cleaning stick to shine up her rings. It’s small enough to carry around and it’s under $10.
  • For the caffeine lover in your life, grab a five-pack of dark chocolate-flavored coffee bites for about $9. Each packs as much caffeine as one-third of a cup of coffee.
  • No-show socks are out; these $10 flat no-show inserts are in. They slip into any shoe and are machine washable.
  • This Grandmother’s Journal (39% off) is such a sweet gift. It’s a way to get her to write about her life so the whole family can remember her stories for years to come.
  • A cute scarf as low as $6 (57% off)? Yes, please. It’s extra long, so it can pull double-duty as a blanket.

What if I …

  • Always make a mess draining pasta? Get this strainer that attaches to any pot
  • Have dry, crusty winter hands already? Slap on skin repair gloves (30% off, around $3). Wearing them for 10 minutes gets the job done, but overnight is better.
  • Leave my jewelry in a tangled pile? Fix that with a nice travel-sized box (12% off) for guys and gals.
  • Don’t want patio season to end? Light a tabletop fire pit for under $28. Click the coupon box for 10% off.
  • Have Starbucks cups rolling around in the backseat? This hanging car trash can (16% off, around $6) comes in 15 different colors.

🧘 It’s National Stress Awareness Day

A walk outside (with my funny podcast!) goes a long way. Need more? All these finds are under $20.

  • Clip a page-turner onto your Kindle so you can stay comfy in bed while you get through that cozy mystery.
  • Put a USB-powered travel diffuser in your car, breathe in the essential oils, and don’t flip off that truck that just cut you off.
  • Spray this aromatherapy mist on your pillow before bedtime for max relaxation mode. Bonus: Spritz the whole house and make everyone else relax, too.
  • Give your room a warm glow with a dimmable Himalayan salt lamp (10% off). There’s a reason these things are always in yoga studios.
  • These aromatherapy steamers make showers even more relaxing. As they dissolve, they release the smell of eucalyptus and menthol.

I see your frayed cords …

♠️♦️ … And I raise you a nice charging station for all your tech.

  • Charge seven devices at a time. This dock has three USB-A-to-Lightning ports (for older iPhones), two USB-A-to-USB-C cables (most modern tech) and two USB-A-to-micro-USB cables (Kindle) so you can charge anything. Click the coupon for $10 off!
  • Just need USB-C ports? Cool. This fast charger packs six of them and can charge a phone to 50% in 30 minutes.
  • Fancy-pants Apple 3-in-1 for your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. 
  • Here’s a more affordable version that’ll get the job done, too. Don’t forget to click the extra 20% off coupon.
  • This affordable little charging hub is great for use at home, or pack it next time you travel.

🤫 Secret Amazon deals page

Amazon Outlet is packed with overstock items at great prices. It’s worth browsing now and then to see if something you need is on sale!

Yuck! But … cool

🤢 There’s a certain kind of gross that’s also very satisfying. 

  • Grab a ball of Blu-Tack and press it into your earbud speakers. Pull it away, and all the junk inside comes out with it. Gross, I know.
  • Color-catcher sheets grab all the dye in the washing machine so your lights stay light. They look pretty gross when you pull ‘em out, FYI.
  • Pimples are a fact of life. These patches work.
  • I know your keyboard is gross — mine is, too. Grab a ball of this goop to pick up the crumbs.
  • This brush is a must if your dog is a shedder. You’ll be shocked by the size of the hairball.

Love a bargain

💸 Affordable doesn’t mean low quality. Let me prove it.

I say this with love …

Hello, problem – meet your solution

🛠️ I love an easy fix. These are worth having around when you need ‘em.

  • Your hair sheds. Get a pack of easy drain clog removers ($8 for a 9-piece set).
  • If your old charging cables are starting to fray, slap on some cord protectors to keep ‘em going (4-pack for under $5).
  • The car is a sticky mess. Put coasters (33% off a 4-pack, $6) in your cup holders for easy cleaning. So many colors!
  • Your plant babies are looking sad. Try this leaf shine spray from Miracle-Gro (under $9).
  • Fall boots looking dingy and water-spotted? Reviewers say this suede and leather brush is a miracle worker (35% off, $6.49).

Always in my pantry

🥦 I watch what I eat, but that doesn’t mean boring and bland.

  • Lemon Perfect is a nice change from plain water, and it’s low-sugar.
  • Shelled hemp seeds are full of protein and good fats. I like ‘em on smoothies, oatmeal and salads.
  • Have you tried the yummy Japanese barbecue sauce from Costco? That brand has a ton of other flavors!
  • This granola is delish and not full of junk.
  • Tahini (ground sesame seeds) is what makes hummus so yum-mus. Love it drizzled on vegetables.

Well, that’s fun

🥳 Life feeling a little too serious lately? I’ve got the fix (or five!) for that.

Bit by the travel bug

✈️ These affordable gadgets will make your next trip smoother. 

Household helpers

🤗 I love finding little things to make life easier!

Refresh your home, hassle-free

🧼 Tackle tough messes with products that make cleaning faster, easier and a little more fun.

Treat yourself

🧘 A day at the spa or a hotel is here and gone. Invest in some goodies that make the everyday a little nicer.

Amazing finds to fix things

⭐️ With these kinds of discounts, there’s no reason to keep putting off your to-do list.

  • Cover the annoying gap between your stove and counter with these easy-to-clean silicone covers (48% off a 2-pack, $8.48).
  • Repair broken window and door screens in a jiffy with this waterproof mesh tape (45% off, $8.29). So smart!
  • Cover up chips and scratches on your wood furniture, baseboards and more with these markers (13 assorted colors; 53% off, $7.49).
  • Restore the grout in your bathroom, kitchen or wherever with these paint and sealant markers (25% off, $8.99).
  • Pumice stone to get rid of those nasty toilet stains (7% off, $13.99).
  • This Sleek Socket cord kit will help you hide the ugly cords hanging down from your lamps or TV (27% off, $24.95).

I’ve changed for the better

🎴 Since moving into our new home, I’ve turned into an organizing maven. No more messes for me!

  • Pick up this package of drawer organizers for your bathroom, kitchen, garage or wherever ($19.98, 25% off!).
  • For your desk or kitchen counter, these letter-sized organizers are perfect for paperwork, mail, prescriptions and more ($24.99, 17% off; be sure to click the box for an extra $3 off!).
  • I have these durable great-sized clear bins underneath the kitchen sink, in my closet, garage, laundry room and pantry. You can load them up with anything! ($32.99, 33% off!) 
  • Everyone needs a 24-pair shoe organizer that comes with large or extra-large pockets ($8.87, 37% off!).
  • The best one of all: Forget bed sheets folded and sets all mixed up. I love these bed sheet organizers and have them stacked in the laundry room and bedroom closets ($27.99 for a 4-pack, 22% off).

Btw, if you find any old tech when organizing, send it to Amazon through its Trade-in Program and get a gift card for the value. It doesn’t even need to work!

ICYMI: Top sellers of 2024, so far

This is a list of my newsletter readers’ most-loved products. If you didn’t pick ’em up, what are you waiting for?

  • MiracleWipes (13% off, $12.97) get your electronics squeaky clean without streaks or fuzzies.
  • USB data blockers (under $10 for a 4-pack!) let you safely charge your devices while traveling or in public.
  • The Pink Stuff is a miracle cleaning paste you can use on just about anything.
  • Wall charger, surge protector and extender with five outlets and four USB ports.
  • Uniball pens (33% off a 4-pack) that won’t let anyone erase what you wrote on a check, helping to prevent check fraud.

Amazon fan faves under $10

🎁 These make great stocking stuffers!