The author checklist for testing a paid review before you use it

Authors do not need to become forensic analysts, but they do need a basic review-screening checklist now. Read the piece closely. Look for specificity. Run an AI detector if the prose feels suspiciously smooth or vague. Then decide whether the quote is safe to reuse.

This IndieReader review scandal write-up is a solid starting point because it shows both the editorial concern and the practical method behind the concern.

The paid-review market still has value. But authors should stop outsourcing all trust to the platform logo. A recognizable name is not the same thing as proof.