No More Fake Reviews - So Who’s Gonna Tell Us What To Buy?

It looks that many of you are expecting too much from this FTC ruling. For the most part, it applies to "consumer reviews." Those are reviews written by consumers, not by ostensibly "professional’ reviewers that would be writing for a real publication, such as TAS or Stereophile. Even many of the YouTube audio "experts" are arguably "professional," especially if their YT channel generates revenue.

No matter what, most people will buy their equipment based on reviews from sources like Stereophile or recommendations from authorized promoters in the hi-fi industry on audio forums.

You may disagree, of course, but it’s a fact of life.

@jayctoy + 1 - I trust YouTube or any other reviewers no less than I trust people on forums, who are much more anonymous. I read and I watch opinions and I listen to what gear I can, and I decide what makes sense to me. Nobody tells me what to buy. 

Don't forget that the ruling also includes provisions that protect reviewers from retaliation by manufacturers, per Erin, Tekton, the Goldensound guy, and a couple others who escape mind. This has to be positive, right?

Pay to play has been a factor in reviews for years and is even happening with the large Stereo magazines when it comes to what products they review. I see some of these reviewers with CRAZY expensive systems that they own, and I would imagine being a stereo reviewer doesn't pay that well. I've always had my suspicions and still do.