There are websites/reviewers that have earned my trust. I thought it might be helpful if I shared them with you.
- Trustpilot. This site reviews many businesses worldwide and it has been spot on. My experience has matched the reviews with technology and other subjects. This is my go to source for discovering if something is helpful.
- The Verge/Gizmodo/Ars Technica. Now some of these are becoming less useful. Many of those sites use Amazon affiliates which immediately makes me distrust them. I read what they have to say but don’t believe it.
- For business software and reviews I like TrustRadius, G2, Gartner Digital markets.
- For consumer reviews I like Freakin Reviews on YouTube. I have bought many of his suggestions and he was completely right. I trust him more than any other single review site.
- For cars and other high end purchases like stereo equipment. Andrew Robinson on YouTube has some very detailed reviews for TV’s, Stereo, etc. I used to watch a variety of car review channels, but I am bored with that now. Cars no longer hold the interest that they once did. Their technology is largely the same now. But fun channels are Hoovies Garage, and Doug DeMuro. They always have an entertaining and wacky take on cars.
- For the average at home cook I don’t think there is anyone better than Alton Brown and the very entertaining Good Eats show. Of course other chefs are great, but I like his easy way of cooking and was very inspiring to me.
- Game reviews I don’t trust. I have played/bought many games that were highly reviewed and was disappointed with them. Still if I had to pick one site IGN has probably had the most reviews. This is another category I have lost interest in.
- Financial advice has been difficult for me to find sites that I trust. The least biased seemed Investopedia. The best thing you can do here is just read as much as you can stand, and then make your own decisions. Even advisors who have a legal responsibility to you don’t advise you without considering their own benefit.
- For movies/TV shows then Rotten Tomatoes is pretty good. It has lots of user opinions and generally is truthful.
- For education Rate my Professors is helpful. It can help you choose which professors will help you in college.
It is almost impossible for a free site to exist without ads. Those with ads you have to suspect. Still the list above has been generally helpful for me when making decisions. Good luck.