Yikes! Are All Those Great Yelp Ratings For Real?

From the New York TImes: In an effort to curb what it consider a deceptive practice, Yelp ihas begun smacking down businesses that encourage favorable reviews by labelling the companies online with a “badge of shame. NYT reporter David Streitfeld notes that Yelp set up a “sting” operation to catch offenders and is publishing evidence to demonstrate to potential customers of the businesses that such favorable ratings are, well, bought and paid for. More here.