Companies Will Pay for 10-15% of Social Media Reviews in 2014

Social media reviews from users are about to get murkier: Gartner expects that in 2014, 10-15 percent of user reviews on social media sites will be paid for companies selling the products. Meanwhile, Google+ boasts 100 million active users and a survey found that a significant number of Groupon merchants are unsatisfied with the deals provider. Read on for more news and insights to share at the watercooler today.

Industry News and Perspectives:
Companies to Pay for 10-15% of Social Media Reviews for Their Products in 2014
According to research firm Gartner, in 2014, 10-15 percent of all user reviews on social media sites will be paid for by companies selling the products being reviewed. The Federal Trade Commission is expected to hit at least two Fortune 500 brands with lawsuits regarding social media reviews, according to Gartner. (CNET News)

Google+ Has 100 Million Active Users
Google has announced that Google+ now boasts 400 million registered users and more than 100 million monthly active users of either the social network’s website or mobile app. It’s unclear how exactly the company counted those 100 million active users, given the integration of Hangouts and Google Talk/Gmail. (Marketing Land, GigaOM)

Ten Ways to Sell More Online During the 2012 Holiday Season
Beyond deals, discounts and free shipping, how can small retailers boost their sales this holiday season? Making your website festive, coupling free shipping with promotions and making sure your site loads in a timely fashion are among the 10 tips in this article. (Businessweek)

Silverpop Collects Email Addresses via Social Sign-in via LinkedIn
Silverpop announced that it has partnered with Janrain to enable its customers to collect email addresses when an individual registers for an offer using LinkedIn credentials, which is something that will be of interest to B2B marketers. (Silverpop)

How to Increase the ROI of Your ‘Thank You’ Page
“Thank You” pages have big-time potential for getting visitors to help you gather information and feedback, boost sales, and build brand awareness. Since these visitors have already signed up for what you’re offering, they’re hot prospects who are open to what you have to say. (KISSmetrics)

Daily-Deals News:
Groupon’s Stock Dives After Concerns About Merchant Demand
A survey released Monday noted that a third of Groupon merchants were “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied” with running a Groupon promotion; 39 percent said they aren’t likely to run another Groupon deal in the next couple years. The company’s stock consequently dropped 7 percent, just after a strong showing last week. (Reuters, Chicago Business Journal)

Fab and Quirky Partner to Make Apple Accessories
Quirky has $60 million in fresh venture capital and is set to make more “iPhone condoms,” this time with the help of Fab. “The partnership will bring Quirky-built Apple accessories, such as an iPhone case that double as a wallet, an iPhone bike mount, and, yes, a battery case, to Fab’s storefront.” (PandoDaily)

SweetJack Launches in Phoenix
SweetJack, a daily-deals website, has launched in Phoenix. The site’s unique trait is that there is no minimum purchase required to kick off a deal and no waiting period to redeem deals. The company also has affiliations with Cumulus Media and Clear Channel Communications radio stations, giving it the ability to promote its deals with radio promotions. (Phoenix Business Journal)

LivingSocial Introduces ‘Best of the Best’
LivingSocial has introduced a three-day campaign called “Best of the Best,” which will feature the best in local dining, health and beauty, and entertainment for fall. (Business Wire)

Consumers Will Spend $5.5 Billion on Online Deals by 2016
According to BIA/Kelsey, U.S. consumer spending on online deals (including daily deals, instant deals and flash sales) will reach $3.6 billion this year, an increase of 86.9 percent from 2011. The company projects that this spending will climb to $5.5 billion in 2016. (BIA/Kelsey)

Blogs of the Business:
Cash Flow
Fred dips into the “MBA Mondays” archives to share his post on cash flow, which doesn’t get as much attention as income statements and balance sheets. (A VC)

You Don’t Need a Growth Hacker
“Startups don’t need growth hackers