What do you think makes a great review?

I thought about his for awhile, and decided to bring it up anyway. We all have differing opinions on what is important to us, what is important to you regarding the difference between a good review and a great review? I feel this topic could be of some help for our newbies and other reviewers as well.

The most important parts of a review, for me, is personal interaction and why it worked or not, the tone of the review and PLEASE tell me about the good and bad points of this product. Please do not just list them in the pro's and con's with no explanation. I also like details on sizes-makes a world of difference to some of us. less

I think for me it changes from one product to the next. I like to have my questions answered about dimensions and inches and weight (if it's a heavy toy). I find the extended review is better for me because it serves as a reminder of all the details that Eden thinks makes a good review. I hate that it is limited and you can't upload pictures on it, but I like the structure of it. If you follow those clues I think you will get everything needed. less

I agree! I appreciate the extended review format too.

I think what makes a great review is details. Color, length, girth, how many vibrations, are there patterns? - if so what kind, how many and what type of batteries, what are the ingredients, do you have another similar toy that this one might be like, how did you like it and how did your partner like it, can it be used at the same time as intercourse and for the love of all that is Holy - if the toy is waterproof and it was given to you to test and review...please submerge it and tell us your findings (if worse comes to worse and it is not really waterproof and your toy is ruined, you can always ask for a replacement).

I really get annoyed with reviews that say, How great a toy is over and over, and go on to tell us something like, My boyfriend really liked watching me use this, I have only used this once or twice, but I love it and if it ever breaks I will totally buy a new one. That in my opinion, is not a review worth reading!

I would love to see new reviewers be required to do Extended Format Reviews until they are at a certain rank; that way, they get familiar from the start about what is expected in our reviews. I wish I had known the difference on my first one or two reviews. I would have done extended ones. less

I have five things that make a "Useful" review; How it's used or could be used, material, size and cleaning/care. Add vibration levels and patterns for vibes. I know that all this info is on the product page but I do not want to go back and forth to get it.

To get a "Extremely Useful" vote I want how it worked for you (I don't want an erotic description, just what ways it was pleasurable), possibly some humor, and answer every question I might have. I love to 'hear' the writers personality too, makes me think they are talking to me over a cup of coffee.

Another thing I want is when a person does not like the product, they must still give all the above info. Nothing bugs me more than a review that just blasts the toy because it did not work for them. It might work for me, so give me the info anyways. less

Oh boy...get prepared for a mini-book.

First of all - I'm new to toys (even though we've been married 30+ years). My husband reminded me that about 28 years ago (pre-kids) we had a vibrator that was long and hard and stiff and we used it a couple of times and tossed it and said, "never again" (I'm guessing there wasn't the variety back then that there is now).

So for me - the reviews are very important because until about 48 hours ago I didn't know the difference between a dildo and a vibrator....and I knew nothing about so many other categories (ie butt plugs, etc).

I think that all reviewers should be made to use the extended format. I signed up with a mentor and she is requiring that of me and I can see how it helps you write a better review.

I like it when people talk about other uses for an item (trying to think of the M-shaped massager I read about earlier today but am blanking out).

I like it when they talk about how they use it specifically (so many items are new to me - like double-headed things, etc).

I hope its ok for me to say this in the forum - but there was a video review of the Big Hoss by Redboxbaby that made my jaw drop (as well as my husband's). She showed it compared to a soda can (to show diameter) and also next to another product. WOW.

I also enjoyed her review of a restraint system (something else sorta new to us). My husband and I oohed and aahed at it and put it on our wish list for the future.

I read a review today of a product (that escapes me) - but the husband talked about how his wife keeps it in a drawer by her bed and he has the drawer set up for recharging stuff. I wanted to see what the drawer looked like - how do you set up a center for recharging this stuff (remember - I'm new to this).

I also read a review of a glass item and they talked about how it wasn't as much for newbies as for those with experience (it was pretty too). They also compared it to steel items (that it was more for experienced folks like steel).

Having that information was very very helpful.

I think knowing someone's normal preferences helps too. For instance - I do like my Butterfly Kiss (first toy) but it isn't long enough for me. I think in the future when I review a vibrator I'd probably say something like "I prefer a longer length like X product" or "I prefer more vibration like Y product" if we're allowed to do that in the reviews.

Anyway - just my thoughts as a newbie. less

Oh boy...get prepared for a mini-book.

First of all - I'm new to toys (even though we've been married 30+ years). My husband reminded me that about 28 years ago (pre-kids) we had a vibrator that was long and hard and stiff and we used it a couple of times and tossed it and said, "never again" (I'm guessing there wasn't the variety back then that there is now).

So for me - the reviews are very important because until about 48 hours ago I didn't know the difference between a dildo and a vibrator....and I knew nothing about so many other categories (ie butt plugs, etc).

I think that all reviewers should be made to use the extended format. I signed up with a mentor and she is requiring that of me and I can see how it helps you write a better review.

I like it when people talk about other uses for an item (trying to think of the M-shaped massager I read about earlier today but am blanking out).

I like it when they talk about how they use it specifically (so many items are new to me - like double-headed things, etc).

I hope its ok for me to say this in the forum - but there was a video review of the Big Hoss by Redboxbaby that made my jaw drop (as well as my husband's). She showed it compared to a soda can (to show diameter) and also next to another product. WOW.

I also enjoyed her review of a restraint system (something else sorta new to us). My husband and I oohed and aahed at it and put it on our wish list for the future.

I read a review today of a product (that escapes me) - but the husband talked about how his wife keeps it in a drawer by her bed and he has the drawer set up for recharging stuff. I wanted to see what the drawer looked like - how do you set up a center for recharging this stuff (remember - I'm new to this).

I also read a review of a glass item and they talked about how it wasn't as much for newbies as for those with experience (it was pretty too). They also compared it to steel items (that it was more for experienced folks like steel).

Having that information was very very helpful.

I think knowing someone's normal preferences helps too. For instance - I do like my Butterfly Kiss (first toy) but it isn't long enough for me. I think in the future when I review a vibrator I'd probably say something like "I prefer a longer length like X product" or "I prefer more vibration like Y product" if we're allowed to do that in the reviews.

Anyway - just my thoughts as a newbie. less

I agree! I appreciate the extended review format too.

I think what makes a great review is details. Color, length, girth, how many vibrations, are there patterns? - if so what kind, how many and what type of batteries, what are the ingredients, do you have another similar toy that this one might be like, how did you like it and how did your partner like it, can it be used at the same time as intercourse and for the love of all that is Holy - if the toy is waterproof and it was given to you to test and review...please submerge it and tell us your findings (if worse comes to worse and it is not really waterproof and your toy is ruined, you can always ask for a replacement).

I really get annoyed with reviews that say, How great a toy is over and over, and go on to tell us something like, My boyfriend really liked watching me use this, I have only used this once or twice, but I love it and if it ever breaks I will totally buy a new one. That in my opinion, is not a review worth reading!

I would love to see new reviewers be required to do Extended Format Reviews until they are at a certain rank; that way, they get familiar from the start about what is expected in our reviews. I wish I had known the difference on my first one or two reviews. I would have done extended ones. less

I have five things that make a "Useful" review; How it's used or could be used, material, size and cleaning/care. Add vibration levels and patterns for vibes. I know that all this info is on the product page but I do not want to go back and forth to get it.

To get a "Extremely Useful" vote I want how it worked for you (I don't want an erotic description, just what ways it was pleasurable), possibly some humor, and answer every question I might have. I love to 'hear' the writers personality too, makes me think they are talking to me over a cup of coffee.

Another thing I want is when a person does not like the product, they must still give all the above info. Nothing bugs me more than a review that just blasts the toy because it did not work for them. It might work for me, so give me the info anyways. less

Size is something I look for but not so much measurements as much as in comparison to something else. I suck with a ruler so telling me something is 7 inches doesn't mean much to me. Telling me it's about the same size as X or a picture comparing it to something else helps me more.

I love a sense of humor. If it's funny enough I'll let a slightly less useless review slide for some reason.

Experience is a big deal. All the product info in the world is great but ultimately I want to know did the item work or not? If not, why do you think that was? Some information on personal preference so the reader can tell if their preferences might match up with the reviewer's. For example, if you like mild vibrations, let the readers know that so that if you say something was totally amazing that people who need ultra powerful vibrators aren't running to buy it when it likely won't work for them.

I agree that even if it didn't work, all the product info should still be present. What doesn't work for some might for others. That's also why it's important to try to sort out why you think it didn't work for you.

I'm also on board with the extended review. I didn't know what the heck it was when I started and thus my first few reviews are AWFUL. I tried to write them longer, but the basic review cuts off at (I think) 800 words so I kept having to cut stuff out. There is literally no way to get all the needed information into the amount of space given on the basic format. less

I'm finally almost done writing my first review. (It's been a learning process - this is a little different than reviewing software and such. Haha.)

Anyway, since I can't even write a forum post under 800 words, might you (or someone), clarify for me regarding the regular vs. extended review formats & how to get to the one I want? This one is definitely looking "extended." Others, 800 should cover it. It just depends. Thanks!

EDIT: Oh, think I figured it out. When I start writing the review it will let me choose a template? less

I thought about his for awhile, and decided to bring it up anyway. We all have differing opinions on what is important to us, what is important to you regarding the difference between a good review and a great review? I feel this topic could be of some help for our newbies and other reviewers as well.

The most important parts of a review, for me, is personal interaction and why it worked or not, the tone of the review and PLEASE tell me about the good and bad points of this product. Please do not just list them in the pro's and con's with no explanation. I also like details on sizes-makes a world of difference to some of us. less