Amazon Targets Influencer Reviews on TikTok, YouTube
- Company has long tried to scrub paid testimonials from site
- Amazon is asking reviewers about interactions with merchants
Social media apps including TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.
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Amazon.com Inc. is asking online shoppers to provide information about product testimonials they’ve posted on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, suggesting the e-commerce giant is more aggressively targeting paid reviews that merchants can use to gain a competitive edge.
In a questionnaire sent to a reviewer and seen by Bloomberg, a member of the company’s product review team wrote: “We are researching reviews and would like to talk to you about the interaction you had with the seller on this product.” Eleven questions followed, including one that asked: “Can you describe the work you’ve done for this seller as an influencer (eg posted videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram etc)?”