There are very many "blogs" here at BCUK selling things. This one for example:

http://bestsellerlcdtv.blog.co.uk/2009/11/08/samsung-ln19b360-19-inch-720p-lcd-hdtv-review-7331249/

So I thought I'd have a look to see how many times the same text occurs on the internet:

"Bought this 19" Samsung TV for our renovated kitchen and it looks great and works great. Sound is a little tinny but fine for this use. Unit is compact and lightweight so it kind of blends in with the countertop and other appliances that have black on them"

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=%22Sound+is+a+little+tinny+but+fine+for+this+use%22&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

The answer is 319. There are 319 different websites with exactly that text on it. Some are "personal" blogs, some are review sites, some are selling sites. The adverts all link to Amazon where you can buy the television. Someone is being paid (presumably ultimately by Samsung, Amazon or both) to make posts all over the internet linking back to Amazon. I'm guessing they get paid on the basis of how many times people click on the links to go to Amazon.

Call me old-fashioned if you like, but I really don't like this. The advert is set up to look like a comment from a normal buyer, but no normal person I know would paste the same comment onto 319 sites. This practice devalues looking up reviews on the net because you can't trust any of them to be by real people.

Here is my suggestion: Never, ever click on one of those links selling tellies, laptops, phones, cameras, or whatever. Always be skeptical about any reviews you read online. There is a good chance that someone has been paid to post it.

Cheers, Tom.

P.S. The original comment appears to have been made at Amazon on September 19th. I wonder how the author feels about having her work posted all over the net by Steven Maxwell, female, age 28 from Liverpool?