Review websites were originally designed to give users the ability to browse all the different products in a market and use the experience of the author to make the right decision (for them).
The problem with review sites is that they were intrinsically linked to lower levels of marketing, usually to get a ranking on Google.
While there was nothing wrong with this, various updates to the system algorithm and changes in consumer demand (usually focused on social media), many ‘thin affiliate’ websites were removed from the various search results ( removing its value).
Remember, no matter how good something is, if people can’t see, use or benefit from it, it has no “use” value. This doesn’t really worry most people (anyone who sees this as a startup doesn’t have to worry about it); however, it should highlight the reason why the “sentinel” review site strategy was created …
Sentinel review sites are a “new” generation of review sites – designed around authenticity. In other words, instead of producing a faceless “me too” website, they have really good content, with your face and real name on it. They * should * be good at attracting users from the various “social” communities that exist now.
The underlying “model” remains the same, but the way it is created is different. The difference lies in the way the information is presented and how it is interconnected to the user. Rather than being “static” content, Sentinel’s goal was to create a flexible system that allows people to offer an underlying SERVICE through its web-based application.
The point here is that you are essentially moving away from “static” HTML websites (which would normally have the mandatory “reviews” table and multiple pages of content), to a functional application, populated with reviews when appropriate.
The “sentinel” method essentially allows you to eliminate any of the potential problems that could be preventing a “review” website from delivering value. By replacing structure with functionality, you are basically allowing users to make their own choice about which services they want to use, without having a lot of hassle with the system itself.
One of the most relevant examples of an effective “sentinel” review site is PCPartPicker. This is a system that helps users to manage new PC builds.
While it is not a “traditional” review site in the sense of giving users the ability to measure the effectiveness of different products / vendors, it * does * give you a valid way to manage the various companies you may want to to buy. This nondescript nature of the system is what makes the “sentinel” strategy effective.