Is Trustpilot legit in 2026? I checked, here’s the truth
All review profiles could be easily automated for this check, yet Trustpilot seems to neglect this capability. Either Trustpilot struggles significantly with enforcing its policies, or, as we suspect, it selectively enforces them depending on whether clients are paying. After examining several other review platforms, it appears unjustifiable that Trustpilot’s review scores show such a stark discrepancy.
We identified a profile on Trustpilot for a company named 24yield, which describes itself as “a regulated forex broker committed to providing a secure, transparent, and client-focused trading experience.” The firm currently holds a 4.0-star rating based on over 100 reviews. Clearly, Trustpilot doesn’t check if the texts are actual reviews, which can be easily automated with modern AI LLMs. They silence whistleblowers, enable fake reviews, and allow defamatory content against journalists exposing fraud.
Trustpilot employs a range of measures to ensure the authenticity of reviews, including automated detection systems and manual checks. “Since further concerns have been raised we have launched a deeper investigation and removed further fabricated reviews from each profile. Suspected scam investment companies are exploiting Trustpilot’s review system by giving themselves five-star ratings to persuade would-be investors that they are legitimate businesses, a report has warned. Trustpilot has strict guidelines that reviews must adhere to, including no offensive language, personal information, or fraudulent content.
BankFive (4.7 stars, 5,146 reviews) is a community bank in SouthCoast Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Experts told us that blacklisting certain IPs, including those from VPN providers, public networks, and internet cafés, can easily prevent mass fake review production. They promise “non-drop” and “sticky” characteristics, meaning that their fake reviews will survive the alleged review authenticity check.
The Risk of Manipulation and Deception
1- and 4-star ratings are more common than 2- or 3-star ratings due to polarization about the product. This shape implies that well-liked professional trustpilot reputation management services products have a majority of 5-star reviews, and the lowest amount of 2- and 3-star ratings. Another example is Tradenova, which currently has a 3.6-star rating with only 9 reviews.
A potential obstacle, however, is the investigation launched by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority into the adequacy of major websites in combating fake reviews. Nevertheless, the company has been striving to address this issue in recent years, most notably by opting to keep flagged reviews online until the investigation is finalized. Instances of companies manipulating Trustpilot’s system by removing genuine negative reviews or purchasing positive ones have been brought to light by BBC Watchdog and BBC Radio 5 Live, among others. Rocio Concha, the director of policy at consumer group Which?, stated, “It is crucial for online platforms to take proactive steps to avert the infiltration of fake reviews so that consumers can trust the presented information.” 8. .
Concerns Raised on Reddit and Similar Platforms
SafePaper reports extensive evidence, supported by inquiries from The Guardian, indicating that some businesses acquire fake five-star reviews via freelance platforms. Following the flagging of its fake reviews, a particular company experienced a decline in its rating from 4.7 to 2.8 stars. Meanwhile, The Guardian disclosed that fraudulent firms generated five-star reviews for themselves on Trustpilot to enhance their credibility, employing fake reviewers, cloned websites, and counterfeit certificates. However, being legitimate does not inherently imply that one is trustworthy. Based in Denmark, Trustpilot Group plc is a registered entity with offices throughout Europe and the U.S., and its public star ratings, known as TrustScore, significantly impact consumer choices across various industries.
Verified vs unverified reviews
SafePaper is an independent digital privacy publication based in the U.S., focused on trustworthy, no-fluff guides for everyday internet users. Real transparency comes from checking multiple sources, understanding how reviews are collected, and questioning what’s not being shown, not just what is. A “verified” badge doesn’t always mean the reviewer is more trustworthy.
The business model inherently aligns more with paying companies than with consumers or unpaid-listed businesses. You might choose a contractor, online store, or financial service believing their 4.7 stars reflect reality — only to get burned. “Thousands of business owners are telling a different story… Trustpilot’s business model works against small businesses.”
