Reviews are perhaps one of the more common forms of content we consume on the internet, and HackerNoon editors have historically cut their teeth reviewing all manners of hardware and software.

We are huge fans of reviews since it takes a certain level of critical thinking and skill to pull off, but it’s not always a straightforward process. If you’re interested in becoming a reviewer, here are some insights based on our own experience over the years ⬇️

1. Be Objective!
If you want to be taken seriously as a reviewer, you need to be able to present all sides of a product, flaws and all, so readers know that you’re on their side. Reviewing is, after all, a service for the consumers and NOT for the producers :-)

For example, when reviewing the Maecker VR Quest 3 Blue Light Lenses, former HackerNoon VP Limarc summed up his experience perfectly when he said that the discomfort the product added wasn’t worth it for users who don't need corrective lenses. This tells readers it may not be for everyone, and that’s okay. You’re reviewing for consumers, not promoting the company—so focus on the product’s actual merits.

2. DYOR
Doing your homework on a product serves two purposes: it helps you convey why you're qualified to review it and gives you insight into what others think about it. Researching can be as simple as Googling the product, reading related news, or learning more about the company. For larger brands, like Apple, researching pre-launch coverage provides helpful context on a product’s purpose and significance.

3. Read other reviews!
You’ll be surprised by the value you can gain by reading other reviews, even if it's not about the same product you want to review. By doing this, you either gain insights into aspects of a product that you otherwise would not have known or learn to identify the difference between genuine reviews and marketing copy. Either way, it's a win for your review process.

4. Use HackerNoon Templates
Betcha you didn’t see that one coming 😂 HackerNoon has multiple templates to get you started on your reviewing journey. If you want to review a product, use thistemplate; if you want to review a game, use this template; and if contextualizing news is more your fancy, try this template.

If you’re looking for inspiration on the kind of reviews HackerNoon will accept, here are some examples:
- This Quest 3 Battery Strap by Kiwi Design Embarrasses Meta’s Stock Strap
- I Tried Perplexity For a Week, And I Don't Think AI Search Engines Can Replace Google... Yet
- One Netbook T1 Review: Can This Entry-Level Tablet Compete with the Microsoft Surface?

HackerNoon’s AI-chatbot writing contest is still accepting entries, but time is running out!

YOU HAVE LESS THAN A WEEK TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK!

If you’re an AI enthusiast, developer, or writer, now’s your chance to use Coze’s no-code platform to create a personalized AI chatbot and compete for over $7,000 in prizes. Don’t miss out—learn more here.

Happy writing!
HackerNoon Team