Do people actually read reviews?

**Adamovich** · 20 May 2020, 1:33 am

Hi,

I've been wondering this for some time: affiliate websites usually have listings with certain categories (or not) and then reviews of each listed site. In your experience, do visitors of such affiliate websites actually go and read reviews or are they mostly interested in listing rankings, bonuses and promotions?

**universal4** · 20 May 2020, 4:23 pm

I do think some players do.

Those that have become loyal to a particular affiliate, those checking to see if certain questions they have a about a brand maybe, or checking for certain software or payment method at a brand, checking if a certain term is mentioned or explained in an easier to understand way. The possible reasons why they might choose to read it are endless.

Then there are some visitors who may not, check a bonus and leave or possibly even land while searching certain keywords and see the page does not answer their query well.

Rick
Universal4

**RooW-LotteryOffice** · 20 May 2020, 5:07 pm

There is a lot of search traffic for "Brand" + "Review" and from my past as an affiliate and affiliate manager while in many cases the traffic can be low, the conversion is good. It's not how I use the internet to buy, but people are looking for credibility when they pull their credit card out and especially in our industry they would want to know that who they are going to deposit with are ligit and safe.

**TheGooner** · 20 May 2020, 5:14 pm

Can't say if people read the reviews ... but they certainly click on links ON those reviews.

It's pretty easy to set up systems of special links for reviews to see if they're having an impact.
I think most affiliates will say that reviews have a purpose.

**Schoma** · 21 May 2020, 12:14 am

It is easy to check by placing tags via Google Analytics, or Yandex metrica, using hotmaps, etc, to see whether players navigate to reviews.
From my experience - most casino visitors skip reviews, whereas sportsbook visitors are more inquiring and check reviews, updates.

**Adamovich** · 21 May 2020, 12:43 am

Thanks guys, that was great, gave me something to think about

**affy** · 21 May 2020, 1:40 am

It also depends a lot of the geo. There are countries where people just hit the "register" button when there is a three figure bonus advertised (US for example) on the other side there are players who tend to read the entire review and preferably also all T&C's till the last dot before clicking any CTA (Germany for example)

**casinoFM** · 21 May 2020, 3:22 am

Use hot jar

I was surprised to see that many many of my readers spent more than 10 minutes on reading my reviews. Having said this i dont think that reviews are the easiest way for organic search traffic, and unless you have the resources for many backlinks plus outstanding copywriters plus perfect on site seo skills, you should focus on a short and converting review.

**creekside** · 21 May 2020, 10:34 am

It all boils down to intent and the search query the user is searching. As someone has already mentioned here, if someone is looking for "review" in their search queries, their most likely looking for a credible source and will take their time to read.

**Nenad** · 21 May 2020, 1:47 pm

I believe so, as I do think that review have some impact. I take it from myself, I do like to see well researched and informative review. I would rather click on affiliate link or other link on the well written review. So my opinion is that review are important.

**PROFRBcom** · 22 May 2020, 5:31 pm

I suppose that depends on how good the reviews you write are.

Small, generic, crappy reviews don't really do much for the user and don't result in much of anything happening.

On the other hand, longer reviews that actually answer questions, explain concepts, and provide a personal touch do entice some people to read them.

I think most people just SKIM the reviews rather than read them cover to cover, but still.

Our reviews tend to be long, and rather exhaustive. The average user's time on page varies from about 1.75 to 4.75 minutes. The reading time, cover to cover, on most of our reviews is 15-25 minutes, so clearly the users are not reading everything. Ideally they find what they need to see, click the CTAs, and earn us some dough

**Cazino365** · 23 May 2020, 2:38 am

Hello,
We did noticed, when using hotjar, a good conversion rate coming in from reviews page. So, I`m assuming a well written review can pay-off in the long run. We like the long ones, with videos, screenshots and everything the reader might look for.

**DanHorvat** · 24 May 2020, 8:44 am

I don't know. I guess it's similar to going on a date. You already know what's going to happen and the date is irrelevant, but both parties need one final check that everything is in order.

Or the person is an overthinker who keeps reading reviews. Or going on dates but no date is good enough.

I personally prefer customers who have some immediate problem that needs solving, not those who go on and read reviews.

So, there's not one simple answer/solution to this. People read reviews for various reasons, and your ability to write a review that converts matters the most - but again, nothing will help if the customer isn't ready.

Really, it's like a date. You got the customer right there, you just need to convert.

**ApostaGanha** · 27 May 2020, 6:14 am

most of the visitores they simply read the headings, the rating and not much more.

**drifter8** · 27 May 2020, 6:51 am

Some of the visitors read : heading and clic on CTA buttons.

People nowadays are just overloaded with tons of information.

**Pokerface** · 27 May 2020, 3:52 pm

I believe people do read the reviews and most likely have their favourite sites to read reviews. With the amount of time and money spent to create and maintain the reviews I hope they are being read.

**jsmith144** · 27 May 2020, 4:32 pm

I think it depends on how easily they trust as well as if they are looking for something specific. But either way, simply having comprehensive reviews shows you have done your research, which builds trust in your site. Plus, it can be good for SEO.

**Adamovich** · 28 May 2020, 12:58 am

Originally Posted by jsmith144

I think it depends on how easily they trust as well as if they are looking for something specific. But either way, simply having comprehensive reviews shows you have done your research, which builds trust in your site. Plus, it can be good for SEO.

I'm beginning to lean towards the same idea. Basically I think it comes down to 2 scenarios:
1. some visitors don't care about the review, they go through a listing, click on a link and that's it.
2. some visitors look for more specific information and want to read every detail before getting into a new casino.

So at the end it's better to have (not necessarily longer but) more comprehensive and more informative reviews for the second group since the first one doesn't really care.

**lemerClem** · 28 May 2020, 8:01 am

yeah, I think they're reading. I read all the time. and that goes for everything I want to buy or what I'm interested in. but I have another question. what's the most honest resource? where can I read reviews from real users?

**Omnia** · 29 May 2020, 5:57 am

I think some people do. When I used to do casino reviews, sportsbook reviews, etc I always wondered whether what I was writing was actually going to be read. Nevertheless it is still important to have them. There does seem to be good traffic around some reviews in particular but then it has you thinking are people searching because they actually want to read the reviews or because they want to copy the content for their own affiliate site

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