In an era where mobile apps and digital marketplaces dominate consumer behavior, the authenticity of customer reviews has never been more critical. Shockingly, studies reveal that up to 30% of online reviews are fake, leading to misguided consumer decisions and tarnished business reputations.
This problem is especially significant in the travel industry, where customer reviews play a crucial role in decision-making. Amidst this pressing issue, daGama is pioneering an innovative solution with its Multi-level AntiFake system and the first user-generated map of the best locations. We sat down with Gabriel Hattar, CEO of daGama, to discuss how their ecosystem aims to revolutionize the review industry.
Why are customer reviews so important in 2024?
Gabriel Hattar:
Customer reviews have always been crucial, but their importance has skyrocketed in recent years. With the rise of online shopping, digital marketplaces, and social media influence, consumers are increasingly relying on reviews to make informed decisions. Reviews provide essential insights into product quality, customer service, and overall user satisfaction, significantly impacting purchasing choices.
The fake review problem is massive in various service sectors such as beauty salons, barbershops, manicures, home cleaning, handyman services, doctors, tutors, and more. However, current industry statistics are worrying: 80% of customers have encountered fake reviews in 2023, and over 67% of consumers believe that fake reviews are a major issue. In these sectors, fake reviews can lead to customers choosing poor-quality services or even fraudulent providers, undermining trust and causing significant financial and emotional distress.
What is the current situation regarding fake reviews in the travel industry, and why is it so hard to get rid of fake reviews?
Gabriel Hattar:
In the travel industry, ratings play a crucial role, as travelers meticulously plan their trips by carefully checking hotel and restaurant reviews. Over 95% of travelers read at least seven reviews before booking a hotel. However, the real question is whether these reviews can be trusted.
Unfortunately, fake reviews are rampant in the travel industry, breeding consumer mistrust. Eliminating them is challenging due to how easily they can be generated. Freelance platforms readily offer fake review services, and businesses facing competitive pressure might resort to these unethical practices. Traditional moderation systems struggle to handle the sheer volume and sophistication of fake reviews.
The flaws in the current review system and moderation challenges have led to a lack of trust in reviews, even those with ratings of 4.5/5 and higher. This makes it difficult for legitimate businesses, which have earned their reputation through years of hard work, to stand out among highly rated places with artificially boosted ratings.
What other issues arise from the fact that people can't trust 4.5/5 ratings today?
Gabriel Hattar:
When trust in ratings erodes, the entire review ecosystem is undermined. Genuine businesses suffer as fake reviews unfairly boost competitors or damage reputations. Moreover, the current widely used rating system has several limitations that hinder its effectiveness.
A hotel with a 4.8-star rating might still fall short of a guest's individual expectations. For instance, the room could have poor soundproofing or an unappealing view, potentially spoiling the vacation experience. Consumers often waste money and time on subpar products and services, diminishing the overall reliability of online reviews and making it harder to make confident choices.
How does daGama solve the fake review problem?
Gabriel Hattar:
DaGama tackles this issue with our Multi-Level Anti-Fake System (MLAFS) and the Review&Earn model, incentivizing users to write honest and helpful reviews by rewarding them with tokens. Our MLAFS incorporates an AI-powered filtration system alongside a team of human reviewers and a DAO system to ensure that locations have only legitimate and real reviews.
Our MLAFS system proactively filters out fake reviews both at the time of publication and afterward, upon analyzing reader interactions. Reviews that pass the initial AI filter are later reviewed by moderators and the DAO. Moreover, daGama users can vote on reviews, rewarding those that are genuine and useful. This community-driven approach ensures the most helpful and truthful information surfaces.
Besides tackling fake reviews, what other problems does daGama solve?
Gabriel Hattar:
Beyond eliminating fake reviews, daGama can become your go-to travel companion, offering a curated map of the best restaurants, facilities, and locations. We designed daGama to be a recommendation service, where people can find amazing spots, rather than a review platform where people engage in negativity.
To ensure that travelers get the most relevant recommendations, we created the first fully user-generated map of the highest rated locations and came up with a personalized AI recommendation algorithm that we call AI Vasco. You’ll definitely hear about it soon, because it's a real game-changer.
What technology powers your solution?
Gabriel Hattar:
So far, no recommendation service or review portal has used blockchain to verify the authenticity of reviews. DaGama is leading the way by combining blockchain and AI to tackle the problem of fake reviews from a new angle.
Our solution is based on the Gama protocol, which integrates community voting mechanisms with blockchain technology. The daGama ecosystem uses its own Arbitrum-based token and incorporates DAO and Post & Earn mechanics, creating a tangible product that leverages the benefits of blockchain technology.
Where is the project currently in terms of development?
Gabriel Hattar:
Currently, daGama is in the closed beta phase. We are refining our platform based on user feedback and enhancing our AI and moderation systems. The release of the public beta on iOS and Android is scheduled for the second half of 2024, close to our public IEO.
This year we’re planning a global launch, focusing on major destinations such as London, Rome, Dubai, and Singapore, aiming to make Review&Earn a global standard in the travel review industry. You can sign up for the waitlist on our website dagama.world. To stay in touch with our updates, follow daGama on Twitter or Telegram!
Gabriel, thank you for your time! It's been a pleasure, and we’ll definitely keep an eye on daGama in 2024!
Gabriel Hattar:
Thank you for your invitation! For any questions and proposals, you can contact us on our website or socials.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
