Fake Reviews as Dark Patterns: A Nudge Theory Perspective Using the SOR Framework

Aim/Purpose: To examine how fake reviews function as dark patterns and affect consumer behaviour within the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework grounded in nudge theory. Background: On e-commerce platforms, fake reviews function as dark patterns, serving as a manipulative digital nudge that exploits cognitive biases in accordance with Nudge Theory Methodology: A systematic search was conducted in the Scopus database using keywords combining nudging, dark patterns, and fake reviews. The search yielded 27 relevant peer-reviewed articles for detailed analysis. This study employed a conceptual approach, utilizing the SOR framework, which is anchored in nudge theory, to understand how fake reviews act as stimuli that trigger internal consumer responses, which in turn drive behavioural outcomes.