Cambridge-Based Product Review Website to Shut Down in November ‘Reviewed’

Newspaper chain Gannett will shut down its Cambridge-based product review site “Reviewed” this November, according to a spokesperson for the platform.

“After careful consideration and evaluation of our reviewed business, we have decided to close the operation. We extend our sincere gratitude to our employees who provide trusted product reviews to consumers,” the spokesperson said.

Founded in 1997, Reviewed publishes reviews and recommendations on a wide range of products independently chosen by its editors. But the website has faced recent controversy over the company’s use of artificial intelligence and labor practices.

Last October, the NewsGuild of New York, a union representing platform workers, accused Reviewed of using artificial intelligence to write some of the reviews and recommendations posted on the site.

Gannett has denied claims that it uses AI in the stories, saying the reviews in question were “generated by third-party freelancers hired by a marketing agency partner, not by AI.”

Gannett had previously experimented with using AI to generate sports articles, but paused the effort after it was discovered that the articles contained odd language and factual errors.

The NewsGuild reported late last month that Gannett had informed its employees about Reviewed’s impending closure.

“Gannett’s actions come after months of anti-union activity by the company, which has seen workers strike multiple times as they negotiated to obtain their first contract,” the NewsGuild said in a statement.

NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss also criticized Gannett’s labor practices in a statement regarding Reviewed’s closure.

“Today’s announcement comes after a long list of unfair labor practices, incompetent management and stalling at the bargaining table,” Schleuss wrote.

—Staff writer Eunice S. Chae can be reached at [email protected].

—Staff writer Mandy Zhang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her at X@mandyzhang08.