But the online consumer reviews site lost 8 cents a share in the quarter, wider than the Street consensus estimated loss of 4 cents a share.

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The consumer reviews offered by online agents could become trusted guides.

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In seeking opinions to guide their choices in consumer electronics, for example, shoppers are overwhelmingly turning to online forums for reviews from fellow consumers and relying less on the opinions of editorial critics.

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Overall, I think this trend is beneficial for consumer reviews, but it does create the possibility that fact-like statements are legally immune online.

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