u/frenchydev1 wrote (the comment Michael replied to):
You're incorrect with your interpretation. 1. Being paid to write a review is a relationship IMO - no, it does not. Even when its in a sensitive industry like finance anything under a $300 limit is not categorized as establishing this. Your opinion is wrong. 2. This implies
u/michaelnovati replied · ★ FEATURED
I'm not a lawyer either and I chatgpt'd to try to analys it in forming my opinion. I think my opinion is reasonable but open for debate and I still don't agree with your interpretation either haha.
But I concede it's not explicitly stated "you cannot be paid directly or indirectly" for reviews.
Zooming out, let's say Course Report says this is totally fine (I reported it to them already). I'm going to post about it, and I don't think it will look good. Someone has to take responsibility for manipulating online reviews whether everyone else does it or not.
I know at my company we have never once offered anyone anything to write a review. We used to indirectly say long ago 'Reviews are important for people deciding on their options, consider writing one on quora' but I felt that was even not good so we removed it. We don't do it, and I'm offended others and everyone can be wrong even if everyone else does it.