Business Competitor Attacks, Corrupt Reddit Mods, & Fake TEFL/TESOL Reviews

The Problem of Business Competitor Attacks, Corrupt Reddit Moderators, and Fake TEFL/TESOL Reviews: An In-Depth Analysis

Preface

This article has been written and published by TEFL Online Pro (teflonlinepro.com) in response to the business competitor attacks, disinformation, and fake reviews that we have had to endure as a reputable Online TEFL/TESOL certification courses company over the past 6+ years. It is an important article because not only does it aim to clarify the online negativity when searching for TEFL Online Pro online, it also exposes aspects of the TEFL/TESOL industry that many of you would be unaware of when searching for which Online TEFL/TESOL certification course to purchase.

We have purposefully decided against publishing the names of the individuals and business competitors that have perpetrated these acts of sabotage because the main perpetrators are much larger organizations that routinely litigate any online criticism of their products and services. The identity of one specific individual and business competitor (Ian Leahy – ESL Insider) has, however, been included in this article because this individual/business competitor is widely known within the TEFL/TESOL marketplace for disinformation and doesn’t shy from marketing this disinformation openly on his personal and business website(s). Our other business competitors that earnestly try to sabotage TEFL Online Pro (and other business competitors) prefer to do so by publishing disinformation via anonymous and fake online profiles. The r/TEFL subreddit moderator’s profile name has also been published in this article because it isn’t a real person’s name.

This article has been updated on October 18, 2024 – additional content has been added at the end of this article.

Introduction

TEFL/TESOL online reviews have become a crucial element in shaping consumer behavior. With many consumers relying on review website platforms (and discussion websites such as Reddit) to make course purchasing decisions, online reviews and opinions wield enormous influence. Positive reviews can boost a business’s reputation, attract new customers, and increase revenue. Conversely, negative reviews can discourage potential customers and even lead to the failure of a business. However, this powerful tool can also be exploited by malicious actors, leading to a growing problem: fake reviews, attacks by business competitors, and disinformation.

Fake reviews undermine the trustworthiness of online review systems and distort the marketplace by creating an uneven playing field. Competitors, motivated by financial gain, sometimes engage in unscrupulous tactics, either by submitting fake positive reviews for their own businesses or by posting false negative reviews about their rivals. 

Disinformation is often perpetrated by users and moderators of online discussion websites, with Reddit being a prime example. Very often, a Reddit user will post as a TEFL/TESOL course graduate or simply as someone seemingly interested in a particular TEFL/TESOL course – replies will appear shortly after, recommending or warning to avoid that particular course. In many cases, both the poster and the user responding is a TEFL/TESOL company representative acting clandestinely. Disinformation is also spread by Reddit moderators – moderators with a positive or negative bias toward certain Online TEFL/TESOL companies, recommending a TEFL/TESOL company for a financial kickback.

These attacks not only damage individual businesses but also erode consumer trust in TEFL/TESOL online reviews and opinions as a whole.

This TEFL Online Pro article delves into the problem of fake reviews and disinformation, examining the different forms they take, the motivations behind them, the consequences for businesses and consumers, and the measures being taken to combat them. Ultimately, the goal is to shed light on this growing issue and highlight the importance of preserving the integrity of online reviews and online discussions within the TEFL/TESOL marketplace.

The Rise of TEFL/TESOL Online Reviews

Before diving into the specifics of fake reviews, it’s important to understand the role online reviews play in consumer decision-making. Studies have shown that a significant portion of consumers read online reviews before making purchases. According to a 2020 survey by PowerReviews, 97% of consumers rely on customer reviews when buying a product online. Reviews, therefore, act as a form of digital word-of-mouth, providing potential customers with information on the quality of a product, service, or business.

However, the growing reliance on these platforms has created an environment ripe for exploitation. Companies that can manipulate reviews stand to gain a competitive advantage. As a result, some unscrupulous businesses resort to dishonest tactics such as fake reviews, manipulating ratings, or even hiring “review farms” to produce large quantities of fabricated reviews. If a TEFL/TESOL company receives a lot of reviews in a short space of time, those reviews are either fake or paid reviews.

Some TEFL/TESOL companies are contrarily active in the takedown of reviews, threatening review websites with legal action unless they delete negative reviews. There are also a handful of TEFL/TESOL review websites that stand to gain financially by publishing positive reviews and ignoring negative reviews because their whole business module relies upon TEFL/TESOL companies paying for a listing on their TEFL/TESOL reviews website and keeping those  companies satisfied and repeat business customers. 

Forms of Fake Reviews

Fake reviews generally fall into two categories: positive reviews meant to artificially inflate a business’s rating, and negative reviews designed to harm competitors.

1. Fake Positive Reviews: In this scenario, businesses generate or purchase fake positive reviews to make their products or services appear more attractive to consumers. This practice is particularly rampant in competitive markets, the TEFL/TESOL industry included. Some companies may also ask customers to leave positive reviews in exchange for discounts, gifts, or other perks, even if those reviews do not reflect the customer’s genuine experience.
   In many cases, businesses hire third-party services or individuals to create these fake reviews. These “review farms” specialize in producing fabricated reviews, often using fake or compromised accounts to give the appearance of authenticity. Reviewers may be paid to leave glowing testimonials, making a product seem vastly superior to its competition.
2. Fake Negative Reviews (Competitor Attacks): Just as fake positive reviews can boost a business’s reputation, fake negative reviews can harm a rival’s image. Competitor attacks involve posting false or exaggerated criticisms of a business in order to drive customers away. TEFL Online Pro, for instance, has been the victim of fake reviews describing poor service, faking customer reviews, and not being accredited – none of these claims are true. Competitors seeking to dominate the market may hire people to post these reviews, leveraging the anonymity of the internet to attack their rivals without direct attribution.
   In some cases, these attacks are not limited to reviews alone. They may also involve coordinated efforts across multiple platforms to spread negative sentiment (disinformation). This practice can lead to reputation damage that is difficult to reverse, particularly for small businesses that rely heavily on word-of-mouth and online ratings to attract customers. Platforms that are often used to spread disinformation are complaints websites with little-to-no sign-up authentication process, and discussion forums, such as Reddit. The subreddit r/TEFL is a particularly significant discussion forum for TEFL/TESOL opinions/reviews and its moderators appear to be financially vested in the TEFL/TESOL programs that they recommend – many of which have appalling reputations and lack reputable accreditation status.

Other examples of fake reviews that TEFL Online Pro has experienced:

1. Review Bombing: A while back, one of our competitors threatened to review-bomb our Facebook Reviews page so that our perfect-score Facebook reviews would be heavily compromised. They wrote a number of reviews that were flagged and have now been taken down by Facebook. One of these reviews cleverly added screenshots of fake TEFL Online Pro email responses – responses that we would never write to a customer, and responses that must have been created using image editing software. One of the reviews, written by someone who has never taken one of our courses (‘Sammy Smith’) is still published and falsely claims that we “don’t respond to emails or messages”. The opposite is true. Our customers often remark on how quick we are to respond to enquiries and student requests. The review bombing got so bad that for a while we had to disable the Reviews tab.
2. Competitors Hoping To Find A Buddy: One particularly awful TEFL/TESOL program owner approached us with a proposal last year. The proposal was that he would pay a click farm to destroy a TEFL/TESOL company’s Google Ads campaign (his main competitor) and in return he asked us to write negative reviews of the program across various reviews websites. We politely declined this offer.
3. Repetitive False Claims: For a good number of years now, certain TEFL/TESOL programs have spun the false narrative that TEFL Online Pro writes its own reviews on Trusted TEFL Reviews, that we created the Teachers’ Choice Award, and that we are not accredited. These claims are, of course, not true. Ironically, one of the TEFL/TESOL programs making this claim has, within the past year, begun claiming that it is “The most awarded TEFL provider!”. It also claims that it is the “#1 TEFL Provider” in all English-speaking countries, as well as in the whole of the European Union.
4. It’s A Scam! The most common review that is intended to have maximum effect is to write that a TEFL/TESOL company is a “scam” or is not “legit”. These headline-grabbing tags usually make people think twice about purchasing a TEFL/TESOL course. There are scams out there, but they always only last a very short time because when a customer has really been scammed, they let everyone know and the scammer then is forced to change the name of the company and/or change the website URL. TEFL Online Pro has been offering Fully Accredited Online international TEFL/TESOL certification courses since 2018.

Motivations Behind Fake Reviews and Competitor Attacks

Several factors motivate businesses and individuals to engage in fake reviews and competitor attacks. Understanding these motivations can help in identifying solutions to mitigate this growing problem.

1. Financial Gain: At the core of most fake review practices is the desire for financial gain. For businesses, a high rating on a reviews platform translates into more customers and increased sales. Positive reviews create social proof, reassuring potential buyers that a product or service is trustworthy. Likewise, businesses believe that negative reviews of their competitors will shift customers toward their offerings, allowing them to capture a larger market share.
   For review farms and individuals who post fake reviews for money, the motivation is straightforward: they are paid to deceive. The more reviews they can generate, the more money they make. Some platforms, such as Fiverr and Upwork, routinely see offers from businesses seeking fake reviewers.
2. Market Domination: In highly competitive industries, the pressure to dominate the market can drive unethical behavior. This is especially true in the Online TEFL/TESOL industry, where a few bad reviews can tarnish a business’s reputation and drive customers to competitors. The desire to emerge as the top-rated business or product can push companies to engage in fraudulent activities like manipulating reviews or undermining rivals.
3. Revenge and Retaliation: In some cases, fake reviews are posted not for financial gain, but out of personal vendettas or retaliation. A dissatisfied customer or former employee might write multiple negative reviews under different aliases to damage a company’s reputation. Similarly, competitors may post fake reviews as an act of revenge for perceived slights or to respond to legitimate negative reviews about their own business.

Consequences for Businesses and Consumers

Fake reviews, whether positive or negative, can have far-reaching consequences for both businesses and consumers. These effects can be long-lasting, affecting trust, reputation, and even legal standing.

1. For Businesses: The impact of fake reviews on businesses can be devastating. Positive reviews artificially inflate the performance of some businesses, making it difficult for legitimate businesses to compete. Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, are often the victims of negative review attacks, which can lead to revenue losses and, in some cases, even closure.
2. For Consumers: Fake reviews erode trust in the entire online review ecosystem. Consumers rely on honest feedback from their peers to make informed decisions, and when this feedback is tainted by fake reviews, it becomes difficult to separate fact from fiction. This results in poor purchasing decisions, as consumers may buy inferior products or services based on misleading information. 

Review Platform Policies and Combating Fake Reviews

In response to the growing problem of fake reviews, some platforms have taken measures to combat the practice. However, these efforts are not foolproof, and fake reviews continue to proliferate despite increased scrutiny.

1. Review Verification Systems: Some platforms have introduced review verification systems to ensure that reviews are written by legitimate customers. For instance, Trusted TEFL Reviews (trustedteflreviews.com) verifies every review by requiring a copy of a customer’s TEFL/TESOL certificate as proof of having taken the course they are reviewing.
2. Algorithmic Detection: Advanced algorithms have been developed to detect fake reviews by analyzing patterns in language, timing, and review behavior. These algorithms flag reviews that are overly generic, repetitive, or posted in large quantities within a short period. Additionally, platforms monitor accounts that post multiple reviews in quick succession, a common tactic employed by review farms.
3. Legal Action: Businesses and review platforms have started taking legal action against fake reviewers and those responsible for orchestrating fake review schemes. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has gone after companies that engage in deceptive advertising practices, including the manipulation of online reviews. 
4. Consumer Education: Educating consumers about the prevalence of fake reviews is another critical strategy in combating the problem. Many review platforms provide guidelines on how to spot fake reviews, encouraging users to look for red flags such as overly enthusiastic language, lack of detail, and accounts with few prior reviews. Consumers can also be wary of businesses with an unusually high number of positive reviews within a short timeframe.

The unfortunate reality, though, is that a large number of TEFL/TESOL review websites treat TEFL/TESOL programs as their customers; receiving money for business listings, deleting negative reviews, and highlighting some companies over others purely because a company has paid a fee to the reviews website. trustedteflreviews.com is the only TEFL/TESOL reviews website, that we are aware of, that operates as a not-for-profit. It is obviously clear to us that the complaints about this website – complaints written by TEFL/TESOL companies – is due to the inability of businesses to manipulate their program reviews on the platform.  

The Problem of Corrupt Reddit Moderators

Reddit, one of the largest and most influential social media platforms, prides itself on fostering communities through its subreddit system, where users can create, manage, and moderate specialized forums dedicated to virtually any topic. Moderators, or “mods,” play a crucial role in keeping these subreddits functioning smoothly by enforcing community guidelines, curating content, and preventing rule violations. However, the system of moderation on Reddit is not without its flaws. A growing concern is the issue of corrupt moderators who abuse their power for personal gain or to push their own agendas, often at the expense of the community they are supposed to serve.

One of the primary problems with corrupt moderators is the unchecked power they wield within subreddits. Reddit grants moderators significant autonomy, giving them the ability to remove posts, ban users, and shape the content and culture of their communities with little oversight. While this system works effectively when moderators act responsibly, it becomes a significant issue when mods use their powers to silence dissent, promote biased narratives, or engage in self-serving behavior. For example, some moderators might delete posts or ban users who express opinions contrary to their own, effectively creating echo chambers where only certain viewpoints are allowed.

The lack of accountability on Reddit exacerbates the problem of corrupt moderators. Unlike other platforms that have more direct oversight by administrators or centralized governance, Reddit’s decentralized approach means that moderators often act with impunity. When users report issues or abuses of power, the response from Reddit administrators is often slow, and in many cases, no action is taken at all. This can lead to situations where corrupt moderators remain in control of large, influential subreddits for extended periods, despite complaints from users.

Furthermore, there are instances where moderators exploit their positions for personal or financial gain. Some have been known to accept bribes or other forms of compensation to promote certain content or products. Others might engage in self-promotion, using their position to boost their own content or that of friends, while suppressing competition. This kind of behavior undermines the integrity of the subreddit system, turning what should be community-driven spaces into platforms for personal enrichment.

The subreddit r/TEFL is notorious for pushing certain narratives that bear no resemblance to the real world, and it is clear to many that its moderators (in particular, ‘BMC2019‘) are extremely bias when deciding which TEFL/TESOL programs are reputable and which are not. In discussions with industry leaders, we have all agreed that the r/TEFL subreddit is gaining financially from the TEFL/TESOL programs that it is recommending – recommendations that appear on its discussion threads and recommendations that appear on the r/TEFL TEFL courses Wiki.

With regard to TEFL Online Pro (we don’t pay any money to the moderators of r/TEFL) we experience two forms of unwarranted discrimination by the moderators:

1. Fake Comments: A Reddit user (real or fake) will ask a question about TEFL Online Pro. Within a very short space of time there will be a response from either the moderator or from a user, warning not to take one of our courses. Typically, a business competitor’s course is then suggested as an alternative program to take.
2. Fake Allegations: On the r/TEFL TEFL courses Wiki, it is claimed that TEFL Online Pro “shills”, that we are “reputation-wreckers”, that we should be avoided “like the plague”, and that we have threatened or attempted to “blackmail” or “extort money” from the moderators. We have never done any of these. Instead, we have always ignored r/TEFL because it was clear to us from the start that the subreddit was biased.

Where we can find a common-ground consensus with ‘BMC2019’ is that the TEFL/TESOL industry is a cut-throat marketplace and some programs will go to extraordinary lengths in order to gain an advantage. These lengths include, but are not limited to:

1. TEFL/TESOL programs creating generic TEFL Facebook pages without disclosing that it is run by a TEFL/TESOL program.
2. TEFL/TESOL programs trashing their business competitors anonymously via complaints websites.
3. TEFL/TESOL programs using online aliases to write negative reviews of their business competitors.
4. TEFL/TESOL programs creating generic Reddit communities without disclosing that it is run by a TEFL/TESOL program.

We have asked our students and graduates to add their honest feedback on r/TEFL, but their comments have not once been published. Instead, the narrative has been hijacked by a corrupt moderator and business competitors.

It is also a real issue because some of the TEFL/TESOL programs recommended by r/TEFL are not fully accredited and are not internationally recognized. They do, however, have the funds available to buy a stellar reputation.

October 18, 2024 UPDATE

Earlier in this article, we made note of one business competitor being a prolific litigator. This competitor works around the clock to ensure that any negative criticism of its program is squashed – it manages this through expensive legal services. It is no wonder, therefore, that this behemoth – a competitor that flat-out lies about its accreditation credentials and is notorious for faking its company reviews – would pay to have someone take one of our courses and then proceed to have them try to damage our reputation online.

And, this is what has happened.

Last month – September is an incredibly busy month for us – we noticed that two of our students were acting strangely. They chose to skim-read the course content and try to finish the course ASAP, without submitting any of the mandatory lesson plans. They were also extremely volatile in their communications with our staff. We had our suspicions that they might be a business competitor’s stooge (the competitor paid for them to take our course – a strategy sometimes employed by a competitor) and they turned out to be just that.

Both students zoomed through the course, were incredibly rude to our team members, received their course certificate with an unusually low grade, and then began spewing their vitriolic hate online of our certification courses.

One of the students completed their course on a Friday afternoon, falsely claimed that they had applied for a job and received (on the same Friday afternoon) a notification that our certificates are not recognized, instigated a chargeback on the Saturday morning, and proceeded from Sunday morning onwards to post lengthy criticisms of our school online, on various platforms – all with the clear intent of damaging our company’s reputation.

We have been issuing international TEFL/TESOL certificates since 2019 and every single one of our graduates over this time has gone on to either teach English online or in person abroad/overseas.

Incidentally, we explained the situation to PayPal and they declined the person’s chargeback request.

As with the previous r/TEFL example, we were attacked in a similar style – only this time, they decided to fabricate email communications that they supposedly had with us and that we know for certain that we never had with them:

After a lot of hyperbole from moderators and competitors, there followed the same outcome as the previous Reddit post from before:

A r/TEFL Reddit discussion thread, started by one of our business competitors, added to by a corrupt Reddit moderator, and concluded by another business competitor.

The Future of Online Reviews

As the problem of fake reviews continues to grow, it’s clear that both businesses and consumers will need to remain vigilant. While some review platforms are taking steps to reduce the prevalence of fake reviews, malicious actors will likely continue to find new ways to exploit the system.

In the future, we may see more sophisticated methods of review verification, including the use of blockchain technology to create a transparent and immutable record of customer transactions and reviews. This could provide consumers with greater confidence in the authenticity of the reviews they read.

Additionally, increased regulation and legal action may help deter businesses from engaging in fake review schemes. As consumers become more aware of the problem, they are likely to demand greater accountability from review platforms and businesses alike.

Conclusion

Business competitor attacks, disinformation, and fake reviews represent a significant challenge for the digital marketplace. It undermines consumer trust, creates an uneven playing field for businesses, and distorts the effectiveness of online reviews and discussion opinions as a reliable tool for decision-making. While some review platforms, businesses, and regulators are taking steps to address this issue, it remains an ongoing battle.

For businesses, the focus should be on building genuine relationships with customers and earning positive reviews through authentic interactions, rather than resorting to unethical tactics. For consumers, it’s essential to approach online reviews and opinions with a critical eye and remain vigilant for signs of manipulation. By working together, we can ensure that online reviews and discussion forums serve as a valuable resource for making informed decisions in the digital age.

TEFL Online Pro

TEFL Online Pro offers three Fully Accredited and internationally recognized Online TEFL/TESOL certification courses:

60-Hour Fast-Track | https://teflonlinepro.com/60-hour-fast-track/

120-Hour Professional | https://teflonlinepro.com/120-hour-professional/

140-Hour Hybrid | https://teflonlinepro.com/140-hour-hybrid/

TEFL Online Pro is this year’s Teachers’ Choice Award winner, winning this prestigious award six years in a row | https://trustedteflreviews.com/teachers-choice-award-winner-2019-2/

TEFL Online Pro Reviews

TEFL Online Pro carefully chooses on which platforms that it wishes to have its customer reviews published. We completely avoid any review websites that require an annual listing payment, or any review websites that are known for deleting reviews upon request in exchange for a financial kickback.

Therefore, the options are slim.

You can find our verified customer reviews on Facebook, Trusted TEFL Reviews, and on YouTube:

https://www.facebook.com/teflonlinepro/reviews

https://trustedteflreviews.com/category/tefl-online-pro-teachers-choice-award-winner-2024

https://www.youtube.com/@teflonlinepro

Thank you very much for reading this ‘The Problem of Business Competitor Attacks, Corrupt Reddit Moderators, and Fake TEFL/TESOL Reviews: An In-Depth Analysis’ TEFL Online Pro article.

Kind regards,

Paul Murphy | Operations Manager | TEFL Online Pro

info@teflonlinepro.com | https://teflonlinepro.com/enroll/

The Teachers’ Choice Award winner in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024