A new and alarming report is shedding light on AI-generated fake reviews distributed across various App Stores.
As per recent data, the news is not too shocking as many did anticipate this in the past. However, the extent to which this is taking place right now is worrisome. Did we mention how it artificially inflates any platform’s credibility?
The fact that fake reviews are on so many apps and many read those reviews and end up installing the platforms has caused concerns. There are so many apps featuring both harmful and deceptive material. This poses a great risk to the community and with no guardrails in place, it can be troublesome.
Thanks to media measurement firm DoubleVerify, plenty of apps featuring reviews with five-star ratings were brought into the spotlight. They were generated using AI and streaming platforms and now are easily found inside the stores. Moreover, some make use of deception while others can easily be identified as fake.
DoubleVerify says you can see the reviews throughout different app stores and that includes mobile streaming services. A recent analysis shed light on how one famous streaming app across a popular smart TV platform included 50% of fake reviews.
The rise in AI-based fake reviews is now at an all-time high when compared to the past. To be more specific, they’re nearly three times greater than what we saw before in 2023.
The trend might impact advertisers negatively, especially in cases when streaming is concerned as the cost linked to 1000 impressions usually is between $35 to $65. Also, the apps are filled with spam ads that remain even if you uninstall the platform. Meanwhile, a new finding talks about risks linked to codes in these AI reviews. They hijack devices and run the ads repeatedly, even if the device is turned off.
This research suggests how users downloading the platforms do get bombarded with a great number of ads that are not context-related. It just makes the whole viewing experience so negative and reduces the long-term viability of the platform. Usually, the apps are uninstalled but you’re left with coding harming your device.
More discussion on the matter shows how they drain batteries and cause overheating of devices and in the end, malfunctions get the best of the device, leading to shutdown. What’s worse is you cannot even remove them easily.
DoubleVerify identified the rise in mobile frauds starting in 2023. Now, the company shared how reviews with similar wording are on the rise again this year. So yes, the problem is continuing and that’s worrisome.
Apps characterized as easy finds in reviews or easy installs are usually the ones to be mindful of the most. They usually have to do with fraud schemes as seen this year.
Others go as far as covering fake CTV traffic. The issue with fake reviews is that they assist in making fraud traffic seem more real. Users cannot identify the difference so fall into the trap. It cannot get worse. This is why experts are now raising the alarm on the matter and how blindly trusting reviews should never be a part of your strategy.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: Google Launches More Election-Related Guardrails For YouTube, Search, Google Play, And AI
As per recent data, the news is not too shocking as many did anticipate this in the past. However, the extent to which this is taking place right now is worrisome. Did we mention how it artificially inflates any platform’s credibility?
The fact that fake reviews are on so many apps and many read those reviews and end up installing the platforms has caused concerns. There are so many apps featuring both harmful and deceptive material. This poses a great risk to the community and with no guardrails in place, it can be troublesome.
Thanks to media measurement firm DoubleVerify, plenty of apps featuring reviews with five-star ratings were brought into the spotlight. They were generated using AI and streaming platforms and now are easily found inside the stores. Moreover, some make use of deception while others can easily be identified as fake.
DoubleVerify says you can see the reviews throughout different app stores and that includes mobile streaming services. A recent analysis shed light on how one famous streaming app across a popular smart TV platform included 50% of fake reviews.
The rise in AI-based fake reviews is now at an all-time high when compared to the past. To be more specific, they’re nearly three times greater than what we saw before in 2023.
The trend might impact advertisers negatively, especially in cases when streaming is concerned as the cost linked to 1000 impressions usually is between $35 to $65. Also, the apps are filled with spam ads that remain even if you uninstall the platform. Meanwhile, a new finding talks about risks linked to codes in these AI reviews. They hijack devices and run the ads repeatedly, even if the device is turned off.
This research suggests how users downloading the platforms do get bombarded with a great number of ads that are not context-related. It just makes the whole viewing experience so negative and reduces the long-term viability of the platform. Usually, the apps are uninstalled but you’re left with coding harming your device.
More discussion on the matter shows how they drain batteries and cause overheating of devices and in the end, malfunctions get the best of the device, leading to shutdown. What’s worse is you cannot even remove them easily.
DoubleVerify identified the rise in mobile frauds starting in 2023. Now, the company shared how reviews with similar wording are on the rise again this year. So yes, the problem is continuing and that’s worrisome.
Apps characterized as easy finds in reviews or easy installs are usually the ones to be mindful of the most. They usually have to do with fraud schemes as seen this year.
Others go as far as covering fake CTV traffic. The issue with fake reviews is that they assist in making fraud traffic seem more real. Users cannot identify the difference so fall into the trap. It cannot get worse. This is why experts are now raising the alarm on the matter and how blindly trusting reviews should never be a part of your strategy.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: Google Launches More Election-Related Guardrails For YouTube, Search, Google Play, And AI
