Study finds review bombing can benefit businesses during political controversies
A new study from Rutgers University examines the impact of "review bombing" on businesses during political controversies. It finds that strict moderation by platforms like Yelp can limit genuine customer opinions, affecting how consumers choose where to spend their money.
The research analyzed Yelp reviews from businesses involved in political issues between 2004 and 2021. It highlighted cases like Comet Ping Pong and Pi Pizzeria, showing that Yelp's moderation often removed supportive local reviews while censoring negative ones from distant users.
In contrast, Google rarely removes politically themed reviews, which can lead to misinformation remaining visible. The study suggests that current moderation policies may suppress legitimate community support for businesses, raising questions about the balance between content moderation and free expression.