Do market researchers use message boards (eg MN) to see how their products are doing?

[Pruners]

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No idea. But if someone from Prada/Armani/Gucci would like me to test anything they should CAT me

I'm not a market researcher, but am 98% certain that they do, and that PR types post fake threads about their products. it's easily as useful as a street survey I'd say anyway.

why?

hmmm
i used to work alongside market researchers in my old life

stuff like that could be useful as soundbites, but tbh market researchers are expected - in big firms at least - to present comprehensive, statistically sound data

anecdotal evidence of limited value

but could be used to trigger in-depth analysis?

e.g. a messgae board user says "this pram took me 45m mins to collapse"

market researcher could include the question "how easy do you find your pram to collapse?" in next survey

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