Breaking News English

A consumer [bloodhound / watchdog] in the UK has reported that many Internet sites are [full / filled] of fake reviews. The UK's Competition and Market Authority (CMA) [believes / beliefs] there are millions of reviews on sites for hotels, restaurants, theatres and online stores that have been [paying / paid] for to trick shoppers. It said at [last / least] 25 million people in Britain read reviews on websites such [like / as] Amazon and TripAdvisor before booking holidays or [doing / done] online shopping. The CMA found there was a [grown / growth] in the industry that writes fake reviews for companies and businesses. Many companies [wrote / written] fake reviews about themselves as a marketing tool. Others offered money, free samples or upgrades in exchange [by / for] five-star reviews.

Online reviews are very [importance / important] to businesses. Industry analysts [estimate / esteem] that in Britain [alone / lonely] , $36 billion a year of consumer spending could be influenced [as / by] online reviews. A CMA spokeswoman said: "Millions of people look at online reviews and endorsements before making decisions such [was / as] where to stay on holiday or which plumber to [uses / use] ." She added: "We have found that consumers who use online reviews and [increments / endorsements] find them valuable, but we have also heard about some practices that may be [unlawful / illegally] ." Some of the more illegal activity includes [rivalry / rival] companies posting negative remarks about each other's goods and services. Bosses could face going to prison [for / from] doing this.