A Question for our Mad Diners
We get lots of feedback here at MadisonDining.com. Feedback from diners. Feedback from restaurants. Feedback from diners about restaurants. Feedback from diners about our reviews… and, somewhat surprisingly, feedback from our restaurants about both MadisonDining.com staff reviews as well as diner reviews and comments.
The feedback from restaurants varies in a few ways. We’re still extremely impressed with the class that owner/chef David Heide showed in his response to our staff review. But at times the feedback comes in the form of phone calls from restaurants, demanding that we remove negative reviews left by our readers. Sometimes the calls are polite and professional. Sometimes the calls are irate in tone. At times the irate calls end with the threat of lawsuits.
One common request seems to come up in that sort of call – the request that we take down all the reviews that are negative in tone, along with the request to take down “old” reviews – comments left 6 or more month in the past. We haven’t complied, but it brings up some questions that we’d like to pose to you.
How likely are you to be influenced by comments/reviews on websites?
Which reviews tend to influence you more – negative comments/reviews or positive comments/reviews?
Do you find value in comments/reviews that are six months old, or older?
Do you believe that comments/reviews over six months old should be deleted?
We’d love to hear from you on this – or on any other feedback! Just leave a comment!
I don’t think that reviews should be deleted that are over 6 months old unless there are a substantial number of recent reviews. As to removing negative reviews, I personally rely on others’ bad experiences as inexpensive life lessons. Both positive and negative reviews are essential to getting a fair appraisal of a restaurant’s performance. You should NEVER cave in to their demands!!!
I find value in all comments, positive or negative. I think that leaving the “old” reviews and comments lets people see improvements and weaknesses in the industry. When trying a new restaurant, it’s nice to read about it and then form your own opinion based on your experience.
I would agree with the previous two posts. Please do not remove the negative reviews. Both negative and positive reviews are beneficial. If all reviews are not posted, the value of having a user review site will diminish. Maybe a section could be created for restaurants to respond to a review. Just a thought.
How influenced am I by the reviews?
It depends mainly on whether I have personally been to the place or not. Also how likely I am to consider going there.
Probably more influenced by negative reviews, I mean you expect to have a good dining experience. However HOW influenced I am depends on the reviewer, the specific negative experience, etc.
YES, older reviews are great, especially if you haven’t gone to a place in awhile, has it gotten better, is it getting worse, is it a must go to place or a must avoid place.
NO, older reviews should NOT be deleted, however the older a review is obviously the less it means individually and the more they mean as establishing a trend line.
Regarding restaurants contacting you about bad reviews.
If they have something constructive to say, I wouldn’t mind letting them have the ability to add a reply to the listing. How a restaurant deals with a bad situation can say a LOT about the management. Frankly I would avoid ANY place that threatened to sue you over it, just because that is crazy behavior.