So what’s the big deal? and what is Meta Search?

A metasearch engine is a search tool that sends user requests to several databases and aggregates the results into a single list or displays them according to their source. Metasearch engines enable users to enter search criteria once (like: Check In & Check Out dates) and access several databases simultaneously.
This also may save the user from having to use multiple search queries separately.

As for Tripadvisor users it means searching multiple data sources in real time for specific dates (real time search on Booking.com, Expedia, official site, etc.).
The user will be able to enter check-in & check-out dates and, view Tripadvisor and compare room prices for all hotels for a specific date,  It will make the comparison shopping easier for the user so they will not need to re-enter their vacation dates again & again.

Tripadvisor is doing a few interesting things:

1. Change in homepage – More focus on prompting users to select dates:

2. Presentation of room prices  (instead of “Show Prices” button)

“Show Prices” button will be changed and the user will be shown prices for a specific date from many sources. Right now when the user clicks on “Show Prices”, usually 3 travel sites are opened, so the change will be that once the user will click on the Travel Agent or Official site link (with the room price) he will go directly to the site he clicked on.

According to Tripadvisor tests, using the new layout of “Meta” (Meta Search with rooms prices) has increased online conversions & decreased the amount of clicks.

Example:

The latest changes will help Hotel Advertisers to improve their business:

1. Increase branding of their official site. The “Billboard effect”, more exposure leads to bookings for short & long term.

2. Influence buying decisions on all booking channels:
Phone, Travel Agents & Online (official site & Travel Sites).
Help potential clients to focus & book their hotel on all channels.

3. Let users know about special deals that are available just on the official site.
In most cases special deals are available on official sites.

4. Not just rely on travel sites, they want to sell other competitors as well.
Once users land on Travel Agent sites they are offered other hotels.

5. Send users directly to official website.
Users land in the booking engine & official home page.

6. Users will remember the name of the official site.
Can bring in short & long term direct bookings.

So what’s the future for hotel sites?
Surely it will be the introduction of Meta Search engines for official sites,  the user will just click his travel dates and will be offered with specific special deals, room rates, all hotels available, etc.
It will save time for the users and will increase the booking rates & satisfaction of users.

“Organized Boosting”  fraud happens when businesses pay others to post fake reviews.
TripAdvisorSuccess.com is an example of a company offering these services.

There’s evidence that the company is paid by clients to write fake reviews in an attempt to “boost” a property’s performance on the site.

Unfortunately, TripAdvisorSuccess did not deliver the reviews it promised to some clients and when they tried to cancel their payments, it threatened to post fake negative reviews on their properties.
At this time, TripAdvisor has identified properties using TripAdvisorSuccess and penalized them.
TripAdvisor is taking various actions against TripAdvisorSuccess.com itself.
If you are thinking of using this kind of service please avoid engaging with firms like this one.

 Here are four tactics that TripAdvisor use to stamp out Organized Boosting:

1. Analyze Incoming Reviews: TripAdvisor employs a large, international team dedicated to preventing fraud.
Fraud detection systems, including sophisticated filtering and behavior modeling tools, help the team identify widespread attempts to manipulate the system.
All reviews are analyzed and suspicious patterns that emerge are flagged for additional investigation.

2. Listen to the Community: Tripadvisor partners and travelers are a key resource when it comes to stamping out fraud.
Most community members are honest and simply want to help each other.
When something doesn’t seem right, report it and the fraud team will investigate.

Hoteliers can report problems with reviews via the Management Center, under the “Manage your reviews” menu.
Click the link under “Dispute a review” and then select “Report organized boosting” as the issue on the form.
Travelers can report suspicious reviews with the “Report problem with review” link on each review on the hotel page.

This is VERY important:

3. Identify Unscrupulous Businesses: The TripAdvisor fraud investigation team regularly sets up dummy optimization firms and accounts on known hiring sites where users are paid to write reviews.
Their goal is to identify and penalize property owners who try to purchase these fraudulent services.

 4. Tripadvisor Take Action: When a business engages in fraudulent activity, TripAdvisor evaluates a variety of penalties,including removing the fraudulent reviews, dropping the offending business from the popularity index and adding a notification to the business’ profile (see below).

How To Report Blackmail Reviews?

The process for reporting the threat of potential blackmail reviews is simple. First, log in to your TripAdvisor Management Center. Select “Manage your reviews” and then click the link under “Dispute a review.” Review the information on the form and
confirm that the issue “Report blackmail” is selected.
At this point, you’ll need to provide some additional information, including the month and year of stay as well as the email address and/or the name of the potential reviewer.
Please also describe the event at issue in the free form space provided.
Try to provide as many details as possible – this information will help us identify the review if it’s submitted at a later date.

Best Practices For Submitting Potential Blackmail Reports to Tripadvisor:

Instruct employees to share any guest blackmail threats immediately.
Submit a potential blackmail review report as soon as possible via the Management Center:

1. Select “Manage your reviews”
2. Click the link under “Dispute a review”
3. Complete the form and confirm that the issue “Report blackmail” is selected
4. Provide the month and year of the guest’s stay, an email address and/or a name, and as
many details as possible about the incident

Retain as much documentation relating to the report as you can, including emails, voicemails, etc.

Good luck!