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I have searched the site but did not see any answers addressing the following question on gathering user reviews:

Specifically, I have read a number of accounts suggesting that there is some number of user reviews that a site needs to have before users are submitting unsolicited reviews. These stories indicate that once the number or ratio is reached, a virtuous cycle ensues.

The theory makes sense to me, but I am trying to figure out what the magic ratio would be for planning purposes. Appreciate any thoughts.

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Can you expand your question to explain what you mean by user reviews? Do you mean that users complete reviews on your site and if so what are they reviewing or that your site has been reviewed by users on an external site? – Lloyd S Oct 12 '11 at 10:04
Sorry. To clarify, the site will be a review site for a certain type of service. We are hoping to gather user reviews similar to amazon readers' reviews of books on the Amazon site. – DMoore Oct 12 '11 at 13:54
It could happen. I've seen it happen. Will it happen to you? Probably not right away. There are things you can do to make it more likely to happen, but it depends on the site. – Jason Colantuoni Oct 29 '11 at 12:45

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This will depend on your SEO / marketing strategy, and how well you are being found for terms. Go long tail with great keywords and you'll find the reviews pouring in. You just need to prompt people.

You're right too ... no one likes to be first. However don't be tempted to add a whole bunch of fake reviews... keep it real and things will roll in.

Make sure your site emails the reviewer when there are additional reviews / replys. Anyone who posts one message will post a ton more :)

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This is helpful, but what does it mean to "go long tail with great keywords"? – DMoore Nov 1 '11 at 0:11
@Dmoore en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Tail ... keywords refer to what people type into a search engine. It's hard to get found for "Life Insurance" but easy to get found for "Life Insurance for over 50s in Dallas". So you have to make sure you get found for long-tail keywords. – Sunil Nov 1 '11 at 0:18
Got it. Thanks! – DMoore Nov 10 '11 at 11:38
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In my experience if there is a benefit visitors will write reviews. These benefits might be earning social reputation, winning awards, learning new things, sharing their ideas, announcing their complaints or something similar. If visitors have things to say they'll want to understand if it is the right place for reaching most relevant people.

The most important question is "How visitors will find a topic that they'll be able to write a review?" Generally search engine users will land to a page of your website about a topic that they don't know. If they'll want to contribute they'll have to find something they informed. For this reason ease of website navigation is very important.

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