“It’s an online technique sometimes called ‘astroturfing,’ or laying down fake grass-roots excitement to help build a better online ranking for a business or product. It’s even become a full-blown racket when companies have hired freelance writers – sometimes paid up to $10 for every fake gush they tap out – to go to sites such as Citysearch, Google Local, or Yelp and praise products and businesses they’ve never seen, let alone tried.  New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Monday that 19 local companies have fessed up to using such techniques, agreeing to pay more than $350,000 in penalties for breaking laws against false advertising and deceptive business practices.”

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2013/0923/Best-yogurt-ever!-Fake-online-reviews-targeted-by-N.Y.-attorney-general

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