Review websites were originally designed to give users the ability to examine all the different products in a market and use the author’s expertise to make the right (for them) decision.
The problem with review sites is that they were inherently tied to lower levels of marketing, usually to get ranked on Google.
While there was nothing wrong with this, various system algorithm updates and changes in consumer demand (usually focused on social media), many “skinny affiliate” websites were removed from various search results (killing its value).
Remember, no matter how good something is, if people can’t see it, use it, or benefit from it, it has no “use” value. This doesn’t really worry most people (anyone who sees this as a startup doesn’t need to worry about it); however, it should highlight the reason why the “sentinel” review site strategy was created…
Sentinel review sites are a “new” generation of review sites – Designed around authenticity. In other words, instead of producing a faceless “me too” website, they have some really great content, with their real face and real name. They *should* be good at attracting users from the various “social” communities that exist now.
The underlying “model” remains the same, but the way it is created is different. The difference lies in the way the information is presented and how it is interfaced with the user. Rather than being “static” content, the goal with Sentinel was to create a flexible system that would allow people to provide an underlying SERVICE through their web-based application.
The point here is that you are essentially moving away from “static” HTML websites (which would normally have the mandatory “revisions” table and multiple pages of content), to a functional application, populated with revisions where appropriate.
The “sentinel” method essentially allows you to eliminate any of the potential issues that might be preventing a “review” website from delivering value. By replacing structure with functionality, you’re basically allowing users to make their own choice about what services they want to use, without having a lot of trouble with the system itself.
One of the most relevant examples of an effective “sentinel” review site is PCPartPicker. This is a system that helps users to manage new PC releases.
While not a “traditional” review site in the sense of giving users the ability to measure the effectiveness of different products/vendors, it *does* give you a valid way to manage the various companies you might want buy. This nondescript nature of the system is what makes the “sentinel” strategy effective.
