What Is Astroturfing and Why It Hurts Your Brand
It Looks Like Real Praise. But It’s Not.
Astroturfing is when an agency or brand fakes public support. It could be five-star reviews, blog comments, or social posts that seem genuine. But the support is staged. The goal is to trick people into thinking the brand has momentum or trust it never really earned.
It is called “astroturfing” because, like artificial grass, it looks real but is manufactured from the ground up.
Why It Matters More Than You Think
It might seem harmless. But when it backfires, it can do lasting damage.
- Regulators are starting to pay attention. In some cases, astroturfing can lead to legal consequences and financial penalties for deceptive practices
- Review platforms can catch it and remove your entire listing
- Customers can spot fake feedback and stop trusting you
- Potential partners can see it as dishonest and hesitate to work with you
Once people lose trust, it is hard to get it back.
We Build Brands Honestly
At ThreeSixty, we do not fake attention. We earn it. We help our clients show up in the right places with the right message and real results.
That means your reputation stays intact and your growth is built to last. Because real momentum does not come from shortcuts.
If It Feels Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
If you are not sure what your agency is doing behind the scenes, ask. You deserve to know if the trust you are building is real or staged.
If you want honest marketing that works, we would love to talk.
