Understanding Angie's List Reviews: Member or Consumer Perspective?

Angie's List is a popular online platform that helps consumers find and review home service providers. Many users wonder whether only members can leave reviews, or if anyone can contribute. This article delves into the nuances of Angie's List reviews and the roles of its members and consumers.

What Does Angie's List Mean by 'Review'?

The term "review" on Angie's List is quite broad. Generally, it refers to any feedback that a consumer left about a service provider listed on the site. However, the accessibility and type of information may vary depending on the membership status.

Impact of Past Changes and Company Rebranding

The company landscape surrounding Angie's List has seen significant changes over the years. Angie Hicks, the founder, retired around 2017, and a new CEO was brought in. This shift led to the introduction of a free consumer membership. Unlike the paid membership, which included a business listing, the free registration primarily involves registering with an email, without subscribing to a magazine.

Reviews from Free Members vs. Paid Members

After the transition to a free consumer membership, there was an observable increase in leads and jobs from Angie's List. This suggests that even without the paid membership, free members can still leave reviews as long as they register. This prompts the question: Are all reviews left on the site genuine? While Angie's List management does not openly encourage hiring individuals to write fake reviews, some users raise concerns about the credibility of these reviews.

External Review Services and Facebook Groups

In the broader online review landscape, it is not uncommon for third-party services to offer review writing for a fee. For instance, some Facebook groups compile a workforce whose members claim to write reviews for money. One such example involves a handyman group where a member boasted of receiving 80 Yelp reviews in exchange for 300 dollars. Despite these instances, Angie's List does not seem to hire such services for its platform.

Rebranding and Market Shift

In 2019, Angie's List was acquired by IAC, the parent company that owns other home service platforms like HomeAdvisor and Handy. This acquisition involved a rebranding effort, and subsequently, the company's business model underwent changes. This shift dramatically affected the usage and visibility of Angie's List for many professionals, including myself. The loss of business perceived by some users is a testament to the impact these rebranding moves can have on the overall platform's popularity and utility.

Conclusion

In summary, Angie's List allows anyone to leave reviews after registering as a free consumer. While membership benefits have evolved over time, the key aspect remains the accessibility to leave feedback. Users should be cautious of the credibility of reviews, especially when conducted by third-party services. As the platform continues to evolve, consumer feedback and trust remain crucial elements in maintaining the integrity and reliability of the service.