How can I write anonymous reviews without looking like a shill?

Recently, I decided to start reviewing some of my purchases online. I make a separate account over Tor for each review. But every time, I get downvotes and direct accusations of shilling. Whether I'm giving a positive or negative review, people seem to think my reviews are fake.

Here I write a negative review of a popular vendor and get accused of shilling. Here I write a positive review of a vendor with other positive reviews, and I still get accused of shilling.

I've learned that Reddit accuses more people of shilling than actually are. But seriously, what can I do to make my reviews helpful? I'm trying to contribute to the community, but I'm not going to compromise my safety in any way just to help others decide which product to buy.

I don't feel safe posting multiple reviews under one account, even if that account is anonymous. Consider the hypothetical dealer who also orders things for personal use. If police find the gram of cocaine I ordered and seize my computer, I don't want them to know that I also ordered a sheet of LSD last week, okay?


Comments


[14 Points] None:

I make a separate account over Tor for each review

Why? Multiple reviews builds credibility. Accounts that are new aren't reliable.

I've looked at both reviews. You put "Meets expectations", or "Below expectations", but don't go into it. Needs more information.

But seriously, what can I do to make my reviews helpful?

More descriptive information.

but I'm not going to compromise my safety in any way just to help others decide which product to buy.

To contribute to the community, you take the same risks as every Vendor and Buyer by posting here. I post reviews and offer out advise for those in need of help. All under one account. The chances of a computer technician reviewing my Reddit account are slim because I do not within their budget and they have no physical evidence to me.

I don't feel safe posting multiple reviews under one account, even if that account is anonymous.

Clout and credibility are necessary for contribution. It's a double edged sword.

Consider the hypothetical dealer who also orders things for personal use.

It works for /u/Vendor_BBMC

If police find the gram of cocaine I ordered and seize my computer, I don't want them to know that I also ordered a sheet of LSD last week, okay?

You have higher issues to worry about than some electronical evidence. As long as you follow proper OPSEC, than a Reddit account created over TOR can not be used against you. Reddit's server wouldn't have your true IP, so they couldn't link you to the account.

Hell, if the Law Enforcement agency seizes your computer, why the fuck isn't that encrypted to get immunity?


[6 Points] None:

if you are using Tor to post reviews, what difference does it make if you post 5 reviews on 1 account or 1 on 5 different accounts? don't stay logged in and you should be fine.


[3 Points] None:

You don't. That's why established accounts are so valuable. A comment from an established account is worth 1000 throwaways, which is pretty generous because it assumes you give any merit to a throwaway, which not everyone does.

All you can do is give descriptive, factual details about the product and experience, rather than abstract, marketing phrases that can make you sound extremely fake. Any use of the phrases "fire", "bomb", "best blah I have ever blahed", etc, are like giant warning sirens.

but I'm not going to compromise my safety in any way just to help others decide which product to buy.

You answered your own question. You aren't willing to sacrifice something and, as such, have nothing to offer.


[3 Points] Hank_Vendor:

photos


[2 Points] pt_LeslieDancer:

also at the end of the day this is a huge cross section of people..if you're reviews are truly legit and helpful I don't care if you are a throwaway..im not going to downvote you for that, I just may not take the review as seriously..but theres all different types of people

but low lax pretty much answered you IMO


[2 Points] Vendor_BBMC:

Don't be such a pussy.

That's my answer. Your main reddit account is anonymous and its past posts can be checked and your review's weighting decided by readers.

If you don't want to be associated with things you say, don't say them. A reddit account that has reviewed lots of different vendors definitely isn't a shill, so it carries some authority.

Who's making you do a review against your will then? TGUK or Mr liquid mushrooms, Tripswithscience?


[1 Points] None:

I don't really see how it's that big a risk to your safety, truthfully. I do all my posting, reviews and otherwise, from this account...unless you're a mildly big fish, nobody really cares about what you say on here (in regards to drug purchases, at least)


[1 Points] Trappy_Pandora:

One Tor account is sufficient, or maintaining 1 PGP key for all your accounts would also allow you to faciliate a reputation as a reliable reviewer.


[1 Points] Theeconomist1:

If police find the gram of cocaine I ordered and seize my computer, I don't want them to know that I also ordered a sheet of LSD last week, okay?

So the real problem then is how to keep your account secret. While I do get that if LE got a hold and inspected a Reddit account with a storied post history, it doesn't look great, what is it about throwaways that make you feel safer? Is it b/c you don't have to remember a password with a throwaway and thus don't have to keep account info laying around? Obviously your aren't terribly concerned with forensics b/c one account or a thousand, forensics is forensics. So I assume you feel safe with that part of your OpSec? If LE can find one of your reddit accounts, why don't you feel thye can't find the throwaways? Its not a rhetorical question - genuinely curious. If you aren't concerned with the forensics aspect (for instance, use Tails + TOR), then is it a concern with leaving the credentials laying around?

One other obvious concern is that if you used only one account and LE got a hold of it, maybe they gain more insight into what you are doing. What it all means legally, I have no clue. It all depends. Or are you more concerned from getting discovered through contextual clues in your posts if you did so under one account? Where, coming from the other end, LE would be able to identify you if they had enough posts in a single account? If that's the case, why not keep 2 accounts. One for everything non-review related and one for just reviews? Keep your life as a buyer and a seller completely separate, hypothetically speaking of course.

Bottom line, you are simply changing 1's and 0's around, sending it over to a wire, to be persisted for our viewing pleasure. I don't know you. I don't know who you are, what type of contextual experience you have, what your favorite color and president is, etc. Therefore, all a reader has to go on is their own judgement based on your previous writings. Based on your rep, your exquisite tastes and your experience. All reviews from throwaways will never be treated as anything more than a potential shill. True or not, the reader will never know. So I guess its irrelevant whether or not there are mroe accusations of shills than actual shills, all that matters is perception and belief. Prior posting history helps us, albeit rather imperfectly, from trying to put context on the words you write. Otherwise, why does ANYONE maintain a username? Why am I theEconomist1? Why don't i just increment my number with each post? Or pick a completely new name? Fact is, it does matter and gives contextual insight.

So, if you still do always want to use one throwaway per review, my only suggestion is to be as descriptive as possible in your reviews. If your review matches up with what the norm seems to be for that given vendor, then its not much of an issue. If there is a problem or extraordinary service, the use of a throwaway will tend to be called a shill. Unfortunately the most informative reviews like this would ideally be done via an account with history. Otherwise, its a grain a salt sort of situation.


[1 Points] toastedjelly_:

You cant


[1 Points] FagDamager:

is it TGUK who is telling you to write reviews for him? if it is then you'll probably always be called a shill cause people are sick of seeing 20+ threads of his every day


[-2 Points] tailsjoin:

Because people with the inability to decipher truth from bullshit need a post history to tell them what to/not to believe. Weak minds need crutches.