A recent USA Today report says TripAdvisor is under scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission for alleged false practices. The response was to complaints that the website publishes only positive reviews for client travel businesses.

Of course, TripAdviser earns its income from client airlines, hotel chains, restaurants, cruises and others. The implication is that the well-known site won’t show any negative complaints against their clients from consumers. There are accusations that many of the positive comments are fake.

Savvy senior travelers who are familiar with the good and bad aspects of internet consumer comments, whether negative or positive, pay little attention to them. When making plans for your next trip, don’t rely on internet comments. Check with your hometown travel agent and unbiased, non-profit consumer organizations, as well as friends and family who travel frequently.