How online reviews came to rule our lives

They're everywhere — so why do we still have to doubt their accuracy?
By Ray White  on 
woman wearing glasses with a computer screen in their reflection
Watch Next

The world around us changes quickly. Sometimes you need to stop, look around, and think, how did we get here? This series examines the history leading up to the major tech innovations we take for granted and the things we may have missed along the way.


Last time you bought something online, there's a good chance you read an online review first — but it wasn't always this way.

Take a dive into the history of online reviews to understand why they still matter so much today.

Topics Amazon

Mashable Image
Ray White

Mashable video producer


More from How Did We Get Here?

What a century of fighting the flu tells us about the future of COVID-19
By John D'Amico
archival photo of a nurse during the 1918 flu pandemic

The rise of Big Tech monopolies from Microsoft to Google
By PCMag
archival photo of bill gates

Latest Videos
'Love Lies Bleeding' Interview: Kristen Stewart on the female gaze vs. the male gaze.
Love Lies Bleeding

'The Gentlemen' cast break down the show's biggest moments
 A collage of 'The Gentlemen' cast sat against a black backdrop featuring the film's title.




Jamie Dornan's 'Hot Ones' goes from 0 to 100 pretty damn quick
A man in a dark room holds a chicken wing while looking uncertain.

Nicolas Cage and sons hide from nocturnal monsters in 'Arcadian' trailer
Nicolas Cage and Maxwell Jenkins in 'Arcadian.'


'Inside Out 2' trailer introduces new emotions, including Ayo Edebiri as Envy
The emotions from "Inside Out" in Riley's mind.

Watch a swarm of robots lay artificial pheromones like ants
Robots used in stigmergy study

The (very) brief Oscars history of women nominated for Best Director
a collage of the female directors and the films that got them Best Director nominations. Caption reads: 96 years (in yellow font), 8 women (in white)
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!