E-Commerce: Reviews Tied to Real Orders
Understanding the landscape
E-commerce faces specific review challenges. Research from the University of Southern California (Anderson and Simester, 2014) found that approximately 5% of reviews on a major online retailer came from customers who never purchased the product. On platforms without purchase verification, this percentage is likely higher. The economic incentive is direct: higher ratings correlate with higher conversion rates.
E-commerce operates on trust. Customers cannot touch the product, visit the store, or speak to the seller before purchasing. Reviews are the primary trust signal. When those reviews are unreliable, the entire transaction model weakens.
The data
The solution is straightforward: tie reviews to orders. VeriBureau's API integrates with any e-commerce platform. After a successful checkout, a single API call (POST /api/v1/tokens) generates a Proof Token linked to the order. The customer receives a review link — automatically via email or embedded in the order confirmation. Only verified buyers can review verified purchases.
Data references: FTC, World Economic Forum, Harvard Business School, platform transparency reports.
The VeriBureau approach
Implementation requires minimal development effort. The API accepts a transaction reference, business identifier, and optional customer email (for sending the review invitation). Webhooks notify your system when reviews are submitted. The Trust Score widget can be embedded on product pages with a single script tag. For businesses without development resources, the dashboard provides a no-code flow: generate tokens manually, send review links via email, or print QR codes.
Limitations and honest disclosure
VeriBureau requires the business to opt in and generate Proof Tokens. This means coverage is limited to participating businesses, unlike open platforms where any business can be reviewed. For e-commerce, this is typically an advantage — businesses want reviews — but it does mean the directory is not comprehensive.
Frequently asked
Is VeriBureau free?
Yes. During the founding period, all features are free with no limits. Future pricing will be per-token, not subscription — announced with advance notice.
Is VeriBureau immune to fake reviews?
No system is immune. VeriBureau raises the cost of fake reviews significantly by requiring cryptographic proof of transaction, but a business could theoretically generate tokens for fictitious transactions. We mitigate this through pattern analysis and the public audit chain, and we are transparent about this limitation.
How long does integration take?
Dashboard registration takes 2 minutes. API integration depends on your stack — most developers complete it in under an hour. No-code options (email invitations, QR codes) work immediately.
See if it fits
API documentation at /docs. Free during the founding period.