People react to testimonials, even though they are just anecdotal evidence and may or may not apply to the people reading the testimonial. This created a cottage industry of people creating fake testimonials. Yes, I do mean fake.
Some of the more hilarious are those appearing on Fiverr, a "micro-job" site where people do very small jobs for $5, and some of the most stupid micro-jobs is video testimonials.
Searching the Fiverr website in May 2013 shows no less than 1500 different offers regarding testimonials. Some just want to tell you about their "special formula" or script for the testimonial (to be read by someone else, probably), but quite a few of them offers to CREATE testimonials for you, usually shooting a video of themselves, or write testimonials for you (clearly having never used your product or service).
I present to you two specific examples (click to view full size):
This one was titled "I will do video testimonial for you or your product for $5", and it was listed under "Video and Animation / Testimonials by Actors". This self-professed drama student will gladly act out testimonial for your whatever. (note: real user, gig no longer available)
And here's another example, taken on 06-MAY-2013, titled "I will provide you 2 positive testimonials specific to your product or service to use on your website, flyers, or newsletter".
Can you trust testimonials at all on the web, Youtube, and such? Don't. Chances are you're watching results from drama students and amateur writers, NOT authentic testimonials.
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