"You’re doing it wrong: Motorola astroturfs just about everyone"

In May this year the practice of astroturfing became illegal in the UK. I blogged about it back when it happened as I was researching what it means for my clients. So it caught my attention when I just saw this - that Motorola seems to be engaging in 'astroturfing' practices online with fake customer bloggers bigging up its products:

Joel at BBG has found a bunch of threads from MGOODE08, apparently a shill for Motorola who posts comments to gadget sites about the Motorola Krave.

I’m so glad my boss isn’t like that! I’m working with Motorola right now, and became a huge fan of the Krave (motorola.com/krave). I especially like the full touch screen display and html web browser. It’s awesome!

And before that:

Oh man this looks awesome! I hope they release a version for the Krave by Motorola. Ever since I started working with Motorola I have became a huge fan of the phone (motorola.com/krave). With a full list of features, like a full touch screen, I can’t stop obsessing over it

UPDATE - Just when I thought we were safe, I find:

It’s good to see that console move so many units! I think the same is going to be said about the Motorola Krave. I’ve been a fan of the Krave ever since I started working with Motorola (motorola.com/krave). I especially like the touch screen display and 2 megapixel camera. It’s definitely worth checking out.

and

You should also check out the Krave (motorola.com/krave). It has a digital QWERTY keyboard and its narrower then the iPhone. It’s a flip phone that has a clear top and its touch sensitive, so you can use your phone without even opening it…

And many more.

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Comments

[Niall Harbison]

That really is shocking! I'd like to think I'd spot fake reviews but you never know! Glad it is illegal now!

[theredrocket]

...I'm not sure that it's illegal actually stops companies/PRs doing it though.

Be interested to know how endemic is is though, from the 'little sins' like dropping the odd good review on a site to the biggies like the Walmart blog.