The Startup Ideas Podcast
The best businesses are built at the intersection of emerging technology, community, and real human needs.
Starting with fake reviews is an acceptable business practice as long as you replace them with real ones once you get actual customers
The Reasoning
Social proof is essential for conversions, but new businesses have a chicken-and-egg problem where they can't get customers without reviews but can't get reviews without customers
What Needs to Be True
- Product quality actually meets the fake review promises
- Fake reviews are replaced quickly with authentic ones
- Platform terms of service allow this practice
- Customer expectations are met despite initial deception
Counterargument
This practice violates platform terms, misleads customers, and creates unfair competitive advantage over honest businesses
What Would Change This View
Platform enforcement becoming strict enough to make risk too high, or conversion optimization techniques that work without social proof
Implications for Builders
Prioritize getting real reviews as quickly as possible
Consider alternative social proof mechanisms
Weigh platform risk vs conversion necessity
Ensure product quality justifies any initial fake reviews
Example Application
“New Shopify store includes 3-4 fake customer reviews to provide social proof for first visitors, with plan to replace with real reviews within 30 days of launch”