Review literacy · QUICK REFERENCE
Recognising copied review clusters
Similar wording across many websites may reflect a shared source rather than independent agreement. Compare the sequence of claims, unusual phrases and cited records. Count independent evidence, not just the number of pages repeating the same conclusion.
A practical checklist
- Identify the earliest accessible source.
- Check whether later pages add original evidence.
- Keep a single underlying claim from being counted repeatedly.
Putting it in context
If several articles reproduce one unverified payment story, their repetition does not create additional first-hand evidence. A research file should make that dependency visible.
Keep in mind
Text similarity alone does not establish plagiarism or a coordinated campaign.
References & further reading
The checklist and examples are original editorial guidance. External links provide background within their stated scope; they do not validate an individual operator or case.
- CMA: reviews and social media endorsementsUnited Kingdom · review transparency
- Operator Atlas: research methodologyOur original editorial method
About this edition: how the content is made · corrections & limitations