Fake social proof
1
Purpose
The purpose of fake social proof is to get users to purchase a product by making them believe others have bought or trust it.
2
Psychological principles
This tactic creates a false sense of product reputation, leveraging the bandwagon effect to increase sales.
3
Prevention
Users can protect themselves by trusting only verified reviews from independent review sites like Angi and Yelp.
Fake social proof creates a false sense of reputation
A great way to increase the likelihood of a purchase is to establish a positive reputation with the customer. One of the main ways to establish ethos is through social proof. Companies usually do this by displaying testimonials, showing how many people use a product, or showcasing high-profile companies that have worked with them.
However, some try to gain a similar ethos without the work by manipulating the design. This can include notifications about fake purchasing patterns, lying about how many people use the product, and more.
Behind the pattern
Bandwagon effect. People are more likely to do something when other people are doing it, regardless of background or beliefs. Fake social proof takes advantage of this, making products more enticing by manipulating perceived customer size or reputation in the industry.