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Review Bombing: When Reviews Become Weapons
Bruce Hamilton
March 17, 2025
Ever scrolled through reviews and wondered, Are these even real? 🚨 Review bombing—when a product gets flooded with mass 1-star reviews has changed the way we see ratings. From video games and movies to brands and apps, a bad review bomb can tank a score overnight. But does it actually work? And how are platforms fighting back?
In this issue, we break down the numbers behind review bombing, its biggest victims, and whether online ratings still mean anything.
This week in pop culture & business
Southwest Airlines ends free checked bag policy
Southwest Airlines is making a major policy shift by ending its long-standing free checked bags policy for many passengers. The airline, known for allowing two free checked bags per traveler, is expected to introduce new fare tiers that determine baggage fees. While details on pricing and implementation are still emerging, the move aligns Southwest with competitors that have long charged for checked luggage. This change marks a significant departure from one of the airline’s key differentiators in the industry.
Forever 21 is shutting down all US stores
Forever 21 is set to shut down its U.S. operations after filing for bankruptcy, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant fast fashion retailer. Struggling with declining sales, shifting consumer preferences, and the rise of online competitors, the brand was unable to recover despite previous attempts at restructuring. While its international business may continue in some capacity, the closure signals a major shakeup in the retail landscape as brick-and-mortar fashion chains face increasing pressure.
Pepsico acquires Poppi for $1.95 billion
PepsiCo is set to acquire prebiotic soda brand Poppi in a massive $1.95 billion deal, signaling the beverage giant’s push into the booming functional drink market. Poppi, known for its gut-friendly sodas made with apple cider vinegar, has gained a cult following for its health-focused appeal. The acquisition reflects Pepsi’s strategy to diversify beyond traditional sodas and tap into growing consumer demand for wellness-oriented beverages.
Max quietly removes Looney Tunes from streaming platform
Warner Bros. Discovery has quietly removed the original Looney Tunes shorts from its Max streaming service, sparking backlash from fans. The classic cartoons, which have been a staple of animation history for decades, were previously available in large volumes but have now disappeared without explanation. The move comes amid broader cost-cutting and licensing shifts at Warner Bros., leaving many wondering if the beloved series will return or be monetized differently in the future.
Review Bombing: When Reviews Become Weapons
In an era where online reviews can make or break a product, review bombing has emerged as a disruptive force. Whether it’s movies, video games, or brands, a flood of 1-star reviews can sabotage public perception—sometimes before people even try the product.
But does review bombing actually work? And how are platforms fighting back? Let’s dive into the numbers behind this trend.
What Is Review Bombing?
Review bombing happens when a large group of people intentionally floods a product or service with negative reviews, often to express anger rather than provide genuine feedback.
🔴 Google Play & App Store – Apps like TikTok and Robinhood have been bombed in protest, leading to millions of 1-star reviews in a matter of hours.
🔴 Steam & Metacritic – Games can lose 10-20 points in overall rating within a day due to coordinated review bombs.
🔴 Rotten Tomatoes & IMDb – Movies and TV shows are often hit before they’re even released.
How Review Bombing Impacts Businesses
Negative ratings don’t just hurt egos—they cost real money.
💰 Video Games:
• The Last of Us Part II (2020) was bombed on Metacritic with over 67,000 negative reviews within days. Despite the backlash, it became the fastest-selling PS4 exclusive ever, selling 4 million copies in 3 days.
• Diablo Immortal (2022) was slammed for its microtransactions, dropping to 0.2/10 on Metacritic—the lowest ever. Despite this, it made $24 million in just two weeks after launch.
🎬 Movies & TV:
• Captain Marvel (2019) was hit with a review bomb on Rotten Tomatoes, dropping to 33% audience approval pre-release. Still, it earned $1.1 billion worldwide.
• Ms. Marvel (2022) became the lowest-rated Marvel series on IMDb, with thousands of 1-star reviews, despite an 80%+ critic rating.
🛍️ Brands & Apps:
• Robinhood faced a 100,000+ 1-star review drop in January 2021 after blocking GameStop trades. Google removed 95,000 reviews to stabilize its rating.
• TikTok was bombed in India, receiving over 1 million 1-star reviews in 48 hours before Google intervened.
Why Does Review Bombing Happen?
Review bombs are often sparked by:
🔥 Backlash Against Creators – Controversial casting, diversity, or plot choices (e.g., Star Wars: The Last Jedi).
🎮 Gaming Community Drama – Poor updates, pay-to-win mechanics (e.g., Blizzard’s Diablo Immortal).
📢 Political & Social Statements – Boycotts of companies over brand deals (e.g., Bud Light’s Dylan Mulvaney partnership).
🛍️ Customer Frustration – Bad pricing, product failures, or company decisions (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077 at launch).
Does Review Bombing Actually Work?
✅ Short-Term Damage: Brands see immediate drops in ratings, negative press, and social media backlash.
❌ Long-Term Reality: If the product is good, sales recover, and most review bomb cases eventually fade.
📈 The Data Says…
• Metacritic found that review bombs rarely impact long-term sales of AAA games.
• Rotten Tomatoes adjusted its audience score system after realizing pre-release bombing had little impact on box office performance.
• Amazon reports that review bombed products often recover after verified purchase reviews balance the rating.
How Platforms Are Fighting Back
As review bombing grows, companies are changing how ratings work:
🛑 Metacritic Delay: Reviews are locked for 36-48 hours after launch to prevent instant bombing.
🔍 AI & Moderation: Google & Apple remove mass fake reviews (e.g., 95,000 removed from Robinhood).
🛒 Verified Purchases: Amazon, Steam, and Rotten Tomatoes prioritize reviews from actual buyers.
The Future of Online Reviews
While review bombing isn’t going away, consumers are getting smarter. The next time you see a suspicious flood of 1-star reviews, check if it’s real or just another digital protest.
Curated Vibes
Song of the week: “Familiar” by Amine
Apple Music
Spotify
Movie of the week: The Black Bag
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