Reviewing Products Online — Are Codes of Ethics Dead?
Is it ethical to use AI to write product reviews?
On my second day on Medium, I replied to a post advising readers to use ChatGTP to write reviews.
This post frequently receives claps and received a comment the other day. It seems many of you shared my concerns.
The poster claimed you could get rich on affiliate income simply by asking ChatGTP to pretend they used the product.
I’ve never done this, so I have no idea what the outcome would be (although I’m curious, so my curiosity is going to take me over to ChatGTP to play around later in this post and share my results, so stick around for that because this is going to be interesting.)
When I read this article, I was reading all the articles about how to make money online because I was desperate. Of course, I’ve had time to mull this thought over now, and I realized:
I’m not that desperate
As someone who is often asked to research products and write product reviews, it goes against my code of ethics to pretend to use a product I’ve never used.
I’ve written many articles about products I haven’t used.
And I never claim to have tried them.
Google, however, is favoring first-time experiences with products now, so it makes sense that some people without morals would lie about using a product they haven’t. As one commenter pointed out, some people have no problem scamming people.
Product Research vs Product Reviews
Affiliate marketing has been a way for bloggers with big followings to earn money from their blogs for years. It’s super easy — all you have to do is link to a product and count on readers clicking it and buying it, and then the blogger earns a small commission.
I have nothing against affiliate marketing, and I recommend products all the time with affiliate links. However, I’m very careful with how I word my product links.
I’ll only claim to have used a product if I really used it. Right now, most of the products I use are cooking gear, food, children’s toys, and books, so they make up the majority of my reviewed affiliate links.
As a freelance writer, I’ve written dozens of product research and review articles for clients, and I want to make it clear that there’s a fine line between researching a product to recommend it and reviewing a product.
Product Research Posts
I’m often assigned “best product” posts, which require me to research a product’s market to identify the best products available to buyers. This involves long hours reading Amazon reviews, Reddit posts, and forums to see what people who’ve used that product think.
I don’t buy these products, and I’m not asked to. After I’ve done my research, I write the posts using my findings.
Some examples of posts I’ve written:
I never claim to have tested the products in these articles.
Product Review Posts
Sometimes I’m asked by clients to review a product. In these situations, they send me the product and also pay me to write the article. These are products I’ve used and can provide information only a buyer can.
Here are some examples of product reviews I’ve written:
- Best Camping Snacks (these are all snacks I tried)
- Coleman Portable Camp Stove
These articles are written without AI assistance and are my genuine opinions about the products.
What happens when you use AI to write a false review claiming you’ve tested a product when you haven’t?
The answer is simple — you lose trust with your audience. Many readers can spot AI from a mile away, and I’m curious to see what an AI-written product review looks like, aren’t you?
The fun part you’ve been waiting for…
I asked ChatGTP to review the Coleman Portable Camp Stove, using the stats I provided in my review.
This is ChatGTP’s review:
I recently purchased the Coleman Portable Camp Stove for a backpacking trip, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations in many ways. As someone who enjoys the simplicity of solo or small-group camping, this compact stove turned out to be the perfect companion.
First and foremost, the lightweight design of this stove made it incredibly easy to carry. Weighing in at just 5 pounds, it was no hassle to add to my backpack, and its dimensions of 15 x 10 x 6.5 inches meant it didn’t take up much space either. The compact size is a game-changer for those conscious of pack space.
The single burner may seem limiting at first, but for a group of four or fewer, it proved to be more than sufficient. The 7,650 BTUs provided ample heat for our cooking needs, boiling water and preparing meals with ease. The adjustable burner allowed for precise control, ensuring we didn’t accidentally burn our food.
The use of butane fuel was a convenient choice. It’s readily available and easy to manage. The burner’s rust-proof aluminum construction and porcelain-coated removable grate added to the stove’s durability, making it suitable for various outdoor conditions.
One standout feature was the matchless Instastart ignition. Lighting the stove was a breeze, and the absence of matches or a separate lighter streamlined the cooking process. The wind baffle shield also performed admirably in protecting the flame from gusts, maintaining a steady heat output even in mildly windy conditions.
While the burn time of up to 1.25 hours on high may seem limited, it was more than enough for our needs. The efficiency of the stove meant we could cook multiple meals on a single canister of fuel without worry.
In terms of design, the removable grate made cleanup a breeze. The porcelain coating prevented stubborn food residue from sticking, and it was easy to wipe down after use.
In conclusion, the Coleman Portable Camp Stove is a reliable and practical choice for backpackers and campers who prioritize efficiency and portability. Its thoughtful design, ease of use, and sturdy construction make it a valuable addition to any outdoor adventure. I highly recommend it to those looking for a compact and reliable cooking solution for small-group excursions.
— SOURCE: ChatGTP
This review is pretty convincing. I can easily see how someone (who’s not familiar with AI language) would believe this review is authentic. It even mentions some things I didn’t mention in my review.
But it’s missing a personal touch. The robot doesn’t mention what they cooked on the stove, for example (because robots don’t eat).
A blogger could easily tweak a few things (I’d remove “in conclusion” because those words make me cringe because they scream AI), add subheadings (or ask AI to do that), and have a ready-to-post review for their niche blog.
Sadly, people are doing this, and it has me looking at product reviews closer than ever to spot AI language.
The moral of the story:
Be wary of when you click an affiliate link and make a purchase. Avoid supporting these dishonest bloggers.
Instead, support honest, hardworking bloggers who put in the time and effort to do their product research and/or write product reviews of items they’ve tested.
