Non-Obvious Insights BlogHelping Readers Be More Interesting Since 2005.

As Featured In:

The New York TimesThe Wall Street JournalThe Washington Post
EntrepreneurInc.CNNWebby Award Honoree

Selected as one of the best newsletters on the Internet by the Webby Awards!

Category

Reputation & Ratings

56 posts

Is "Sludge" a Real Customer Service Tactic to Avoid Irate Customers?

Is "Sludge" a Real Customer Service Tactic to Avoid Irate Customers?

JULY 7, 2025

Virginia State Exposes What It Costs to Be in the Michelin Guide

Virginia State Exposes What It Costs to Be in the Michelin Guide

MAY 7, 2025

The Tesla Resistance Is Real. Here’s What It Means …

The Tesla Resistance Is Real. Here’s What It Means …

MARCH 19, 2025

Jamie Foxx and His Family Offer a Masterclass on How to Maintain Privacy

Jamie Foxx and His Family Offer a Masterclass on How to Maintain Privacy

DECEMBER 31, 2024

How To Get Hated by AI … and How to Get Someone to Fix It

How To Get Hated by AI … and How to Get Someone to Fix It

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

Marques Brownlee and Walt Mossberg on Trustworthy Tech Reviews

Marques Brownlee and Walt Mossberg on Trustworthy Tech Reviews

JUNE 4, 2024

The Disturbing Truth About How Trader Joe's Sources New Products

The Disturbing Truth About How Trader Joe's Sources New Products

APRIL 5, 2024

The Truth About Paid Reviews Might Not Be What You Think

The Truth About Paid Reviews Might Not Be What You Think

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

How One-Star "Review Bombing" on GoodReads Is Tanking Books and Manipulating Public Opinion

How One-Star "Review Bombing" on GoodReads Is Tanking Books and Manipulating Public Opinion

JULY 12, 2023

Meta Lowers VR Age To 10, Making Everyone Think VR Must Be Dangerous

Meta Lowers VR Age To 10, Making Everyone Think VR Must Be Dangerous

JUNE 21, 2023

Is the B Corp Certification In Danger of Losing Its Credibility?

Is the B Corp Certification In Danger of Losing Its Credibility?

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

The Hidden and Deeply Buried Humanity of Google Reviews

The Hidden and Deeply Buried Humanity of Google Reviews

JANUARY 3, 2023

Are the Sacklers America’s Most Evil Family?

Are the Sacklers America’s Most Evil Family?

JUNE 9, 2021

Why Facebook Rating Your Trustworthiness Is Good News

Why Facebook Rating Your Trustworthiness Is Good News

AUGUST 23, 2018

“Reputation Inflation”: Why You Can’t Rate An Uber Driver Under 5 Stars

“Reputation Inflation”: Why You Can’t Rate An Uber Driver Under 5 Stars

APRIL 10, 2018

Utah Ski Resort Embraces Its One Star Rating In Clever Print Ad

Utah Ski Resort Embraces Its One Star Rating In Clever Print Ad

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

Uber Lets Drivers Tell You Why You Deserve A 1 Star Ranking

Uber Lets Drivers Tell You Why You Deserve A 1 Star Ranking

SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

French Chef Asks To Be Stripped Of Three Michelin Stars

French Chef Asks To Be Stripped Of Three Michelin Stars

SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

Professional Clowns Have A Creepiness Problem, Thanks To "It"

Professional Clowns Have A Creepiness Problem, Thanks To "It"

SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

A Pilot's Wife Says What United's CEO Should Have Said

A Pilot's Wife Says What United's CEO Should Have Said

APRIL 10, 2017

How To Build Trust In An Era Of Desperate Truth Seeking Consumers

How To Build Trust In An Era Of Desperate Truth Seeking Consumers

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Is Net Promoter Score Flawed?

Is Net Promoter Score Flawed?

JANUARY 20, 2017

Why Movie Internet Ratings Are Broken (And Maybe Other Ratings Too)

Why Movie Internet Ratings Are Broken (And Maybe Other Ratings Too)

JULY 21, 2016

The One Thing Every Brand Needs To Build Trust

The One Thing Every Brand Needs To Build Trust

OCTOBER 9, 2014

Newer PostsPage 1 of 3Older Posts

Want More Non-Obvious Ideas?

Join 100K+ ReadersTo Get Weekly Insights

The Non-Obvious Insights Newsletter brings you the five or six most fascinating and overlooked stories of the week, with a quick take on why each one matters.

    One email every Thursday. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.