@Dave, we get asked about this all the time. My response is “The prevailing opinion in our profession is that it’s unethical and, ethics aside, if Google ever does start policing this (please baby, please) you’ll get hammered.

@Brian, really good point. They’re pretty well screwed. It won’t be long before 70% of page 1 will be about what dopes they are. How would that make you feel about a medical decision?

@Dave, we get asked about this all the time. My response is “The prevailing opinion in our profession is that it’s unethical and, ethics aside, if Google ever does start policing this (please baby, please) you’ll get hammered.

@Brian, really good point. They’re pretty well screwed. It won’t be long before 70% of page 1 will be about what dopes they are. How would that make you feel about a medical decision?

After reading the stories I emailed a business owner/web site owner w/ a business in NY state with a similar message as your own:

1. Don’t do this, especially in NY State, where they engage in active consumer protection.
2. I know the bus owner has a competitor who does this. hmmm….maybe that can help the bus owner I know better compete.

I agree. I wouldn’t do this. Even as some search engines (Google-> ) don’t police this at all, some state attorney generals are addressing web marketing activities that can be either false advertising, openings for ripping off customers, etc.

I’d figure out ways to get honest reviews. I’d encourage them…in fact I’d set up parameters to get them on the web.

I wouldn’t fake them at all. It could cost big time. At some point in the future, with various state attorney’s going after these scams, the SE’s and the various review sites on the web will have to address these types of scams in a serious and RESPONSIBLE manner.