Online Product Reviews Are Broken

 
 

The premise behind a site like The Wirecutter, bought by the New York Times for $30 million in 2016, may make complete sense on paper. Have an “expert,” who apparently knows everything there is to know about a product category, test out an arbitrary number of products spanning the price and feature spectrums in that product category. Relying on experience and perspective, the expert issues a verdict as to the “best” product to buy - the product that everyone should use without fear of regret or disappointment.

In practice, Wirecutter is wholly disappointing.

An Inside Orchard subscription is required to continue reading this essay. Subscribers can read the essay here.

(Subscribers: The password for reading exclusive essays is always accessible by logging in and going to Downloads.)


Inside Orchard Subscriptions

Payment is processed and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. Special bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members.

Subscriber Privileges and Benefits

  • Receive Exclusive Essays. The cornerstone of an Inside Orchard subscription is access to Neil’s weekly essays on the latest developments in the technology industry. Weekly essays are 1,000 words and sent via email on Mondays. Essays revolve around the following topics: technology industry analysis, business model analysis, technology’s impact on societal and consumer trends. A sample essay can be viewed here.

  • Access Exclusive Private Podcast. Listen to Inside Orchard essays via an exclusive private podcast. After becoming a paid subscriber, all previously-published podcast episodes become available in your favorite podcast player. Podcast episodes never become available to the public.

  • Inside Orchard Support. Play an active role in supporting Inside Orchard as an independent source of analysis and perspective. Inside Orchard is 100% supported by its subscribers.

Previous
Previous

Music’s Trouble

Next
Next

Movie Theater Nostalgia