TripAdvisor: all info, tips and rating in the profile
Last updated on 5 July 2026
TripAdvisor is one of the world’s largest travel portals for hotels, restaurants and sights, which actively tackles fake reviews without requiring proof of purchase.
What is TripAdvisor?
TripAdvisor collects reviews of hotels, restaurants and attractions worldwide. Proof of an actual visit is not required to leave a review. However, TripAdvisor uses fraud-detection software that is also employed in banks’ fraud prevention: in 2024, around 9 % of the roughly 31 million reviews were identified as fake and over 2.7 million reviews were removed.
| Verification | Not required, but automated fraud-detection software in use |
|---|---|
| Leaving a review | Easy, with an account and without proof of a visit |
| Having a review removed | Only in the case of a legal violation, insult, untrue facts or the inability to attribute it to a customer |
| Cost for the business | Free, businesses can book advertising slots and additional features |
| Credibility | Medium – active fraud prevention, but according to TripAdvisor itself still around 9 % fake share (2024) |
How do I create a review on TripAdvisor?
With a TripAdvisor account, any user can search for a hotel, restaurant or attraction and leave a review with stars, text and photos. Proof of an actual visit is not required for this.
How can I have a TripAdvisor review removed?
TripAdvisor does not check the truthfulness of reviews in advance, but is obliged to review them once it becomes aware of a legal violation. Reviews that are insulting, untrue or invented, as well as those that cannot be attributed to a specific customer, can be removed, among others. In 2024, around 9,000 businesses received warnings because they had encouraged customers or employees to leave fake reviews.
Strengths and weaknesses of TripAdvisor
Strengths
- Very large global reach in the tourism and hospitality sector
- Advanced automated fraud detection; according to TripAdvisor, four out of five fake attempts are blocked in advance
- Detailed category ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions
Weaknesses
- No proof of an actual visit required for a review
- In 2024, around 9 % of reviews were nonetheless classified as fake
- With a claimed profile, US law may apply instead of German law, according to reports
How credible is TripAdvisor?
TripAdvisor invests visibly in detecting fake reviews and removed over 2.7 million of them in 2024. However, since no proof of a genuine visit is required, a relevant share of fakes remains in the system according to its own figures – the credibility is therefore to be classified as medium.
What makes TripAdvisor special
What is special about TripAdvisor is its focus on the entire travel and hospitality industry combined with one of the technically most advanced fraud-detection systems in the sector.
Tips & tricks for TripAdvisor
- Actively forward suspicious reviews to TripAdvisor via the reporting function
- Respond to reviews regularly and professionally
- In legal disputes, check whether your own profile should be claimed, as this can influence the applicable legal system according to reports
Frequently asked questions about TripAdvisor
Do I have to prove on TripAdvisor that I was on-site?
No, proof of an actual visit is not required to leave a review.
How many fake reviews does TripAdvisor remove?
In 2024, TripAdvisor identified around 9 % of the roughly 31 million reviews as fake and removed over 2.7 million reviews.
What happens to businesses that promote fake reviews?
In 2024, around 9,000 businesses received warnings from TripAdvisor because they had encouraged customers or employees to leave fake reviews.
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