I love my wife very much, but like most couples, there are certain characteristics that make me feel like we are the subject of a certain Paula Abdul hit single from her debut album “Forever Your Girl.” One prime example is our feelings toward “user reviews.” Jessica will automatically read all the reviews before making any decision, ranging from restaurant choice, selecting an exterminator, to selecting a hotel. While she can be somewhat discerning about individual reviews, ultimately they have a direct impact on her actions.

I, for the most part, could care less about user reviews. Parts of the reason are natural personality traits and the other has to do with the process of leaving a review itself. My wife asked why “I care a lot about Airbnb reviews” while I “refuse to even look at a Yelp review.” Well, the real reason is simple: not all reviews are created equal. Let’s break this down a little bit: Continue reading →