united-states criminal-law consumer-protection tort
Is it illegal in any way to solicit reviews?
<p>Eg. companies that say "Go leave us a good review on <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Glassdoor</a>." Or businesses that pay customers to leave good <a href="https://www.yelp.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Yelp</a> reviews. Or that pressure employees to get their friends to leave good Yelp reviews.</p>

<p>Are there any jurisdictions where this sort of stuff is illegal? I'm particularly interested in what the law says in the United States.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking#soliciting" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking#soliciting</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>if you’ve given these customers a reason to expect a benefit from providing their thoughts about your product, you should disclose that fact in your ads. For example, if customers are told in advance that their comments might be used in advertising, they might expect to receive a payment for a positive review, and that could influence what they say, even if you tell them that you want their honest opinion.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>So basically reviewer has to disclose they were paid or might get paid/win/etc.</p>

<p>It is generally not illegal - the normal name for it is "advertising".</p>
