Learning Journal 9

 

Electronic word of mouth I feel like it’s now the modern version of the telephone. People communicate, educate, and consume a load of information from this form of communication. Not only is it the fastest method of communication but it could be done from anywhere in the world. The company does not need to be local. Using this method is like a second ear for you, or another method of confirmation. For example, when looking for food I do my research on yelp. Doing this allows me to view the pictures of the restaurant, and food, read reviews about staff, etc. Questioning the legitimacy of the comments or reviews on establishments on websites like yelp is very easy to split. When looking at the comments you can tell when an answer was generated through a computer. When written through a computer the response is basic and vague; versus a person explaining their experience. It makes it easier to scroll through and see the legitimacy of not only the business but its customers; if they enjoyed it and will they partake in business again. As much as eWOM provides this can hurt or boost a business's customers. Since we are all connected through the social media ecosystem. Going on you will see people co-creating with marketing content, companies, and brands. When scrolling or listening may see campaigns or promotions trying to get people to interact with these companies or businesses. These businesses and companies seem to be all about expanding their network and viewers.

In today’s world, it seems best to just seek your own opinion and information. Nonetheless, not only information but people's opinions can be misconstrued. For example, when you search for an illness on the Internet and on Web MD they tell you it’s cancer. When really it is a cold or a virus overall a minor situation. People must understand that information is generalized unless the information is personalized to you specifically. This though can lead to confirmation bias. The definition of confirmation bias; is the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories. Keeping those factors at hand; word of mouth communication over the internet can be misleading or false. People can entertain their own ideas versus providing factual information. Specifically using sources to provide authenticity to their ideas.  

Confirmation bias. Ethics Unwrapped. (2022, February 21). https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/confirmation-bias 

Desjardins, J. (2019, March 11). A visual map of the social media universe. Visual Capitalist. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visual-map-social-media-universe/ 

Reviews, reputation, and revenue: The case of yelp.https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/12-016_a7e4a5a2-03f9-490d-b093-8f951238dba2.pdf