Fake reviews research

Contract summary

Industry

• Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

United Kingdom

Value of contract

£59,950

Procurement reference

PS22196

Published date

25 August 2022

Closing date

18 July 2022

Closing time

11am

Contract start date

17 August 2022

Contract end date

31 January 2023

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (below threshold)

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

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Description

These are reviews that do not reflect an actual consumer's genuine experience of a good or
service, and have been left in an attempt to manipulate consumer perception or target a
particular business.
The policy proposals are currently in development and are subject to further evidence
gathering and cost-benefit analysis. Although there are wide ranging estimates from various
consumer groups and review sites on the prevalence of fake reviews,2,3,4 the evidence base
on the harm they cause to consumers is relatively underdeveloped. Therefore, this research
will provide high-quality evidence to the policy and analytical teams that cannot be achieved
using internal resources primarily due to time constraints as well as some skill constraints.
Government plans to consult on the details of the developing policy proposals in due course.
An impact assessment (IA) assessing the costs and benefits of the policy options is
expected to be published alongside the consultation. This research is intended to help
develop the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and inform the policy solution. It is expected that the
outputs of this research will:
 Improve understanding of the scale of the problem of fake reviews and how they
impact consumers
 Influence the development of the policy by testing potential solutions and ensuring
policy making is evidence based
 Provide evidence for the CBA which will assess the impacts of policy options, on
both consumers and businesses.

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More information

Attachments

• PS22196 S1 Supplies Purchasing contract - BEIS and supplier signed_Redacted.pdf
• Signed contract

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Award information

Awarded date

19 August 2022

Contract start date

19 August 2022

Contract end date

31 January 2023

Total value of contract

£59,950

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

ALMA ECONOMICS LIMITED

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About the buyer

Address

Polaris House,North Star Avenue
SWINDON
SN21FF
England

Email

professionalservices@uksbs.co.uk