Why Modern "Reviews" Didn't Exist in 2000:
Posted: Sat May 24, 2025 3:41 am
In the year 2000, the concept of "reviews" for agent lead generation services, as we understand them today (online testimonials, star ratings on dedicated platforms, comprehensive comparison websites), did not exist in any meaningful way.
Here's why and what might have constituted "reviews" or feedback in that era:
Lack of Centralized Online Platforms: Websites like Yelp, Google My Business, Trustpilot, G2, Capterra, etc., which are central to online reviews today, either didn't exist or were in their very earliest, rudimentary forms and certainly not widely adopted for B2B service reviews.
Limited Internet Penetration: While the internet was growing, a significant portion of businesses and individuals were not yet consistently online, especially for routine business research.
No Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., which often host reviews or discussions about services, were still years away.
Absence of Review Culture: The cultural habit of publicly sharing experiences and ratings canada phone number list for services online hadn't developed yet.
What Would Have Constituted "Reviews" or Feedback in 2000 for Agent Lead Generation:
In 2000, "reviews" for agent lead generation services (which would likely be more accurately described as "recruitment services," "training programs," or "list brokers") would have primarily come in these forms:
Word-of-Mouth Referrals:
Direct Recommendations: A broker or agency manager would ask peers, colleagues, or other industry contacts about their experiences with a particular recruitment firm or lead provider. This was the most trusted form of "review."
Industry Events: Conversations at trade shows, conferences, or local association meetings where professionals shared their successes or frustrations with different services.
Testimonials (Company-Curated):
Service providers might collect written testimonials from satisfied clients and feature them in their marketing materials (brochures, sales presentations, early websites). These were, of course, cherry-picked and not independently verifiable.
Here's why and what might have constituted "reviews" or feedback in that era:
Lack of Centralized Online Platforms: Websites like Yelp, Google My Business, Trustpilot, G2, Capterra, etc., which are central to online reviews today, either didn't exist or were in their very earliest, rudimentary forms and certainly not widely adopted for B2B service reviews.
Limited Internet Penetration: While the internet was growing, a significant portion of businesses and individuals were not yet consistently online, especially for routine business research.
No Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., which often host reviews or discussions about services, were still years away.
Absence of Review Culture: The cultural habit of publicly sharing experiences and ratings canada phone number list for services online hadn't developed yet.
What Would Have Constituted "Reviews" or Feedback in 2000 for Agent Lead Generation:
In 2000, "reviews" for agent lead generation services (which would likely be more accurately described as "recruitment services," "training programs," or "list brokers") would have primarily come in these forms:
Word-of-Mouth Referrals:
Direct Recommendations: A broker or agency manager would ask peers, colleagues, or other industry contacts about their experiences with a particular recruitment firm or lead provider. This was the most trusted form of "review."
Industry Events: Conversations at trade shows, conferences, or local association meetings where professionals shared their successes or frustrations with different services.
Testimonials (Company-Curated):
Service providers might collect written testimonials from satisfied clients and feature them in their marketing materials (brochures, sales presentations, early websites). These were, of course, cherry-picked and not independently verifiable.