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{{short description|Indian review website}}
{{Infobox dot-com company
| name = MouthShut.com
| logo =
| logo_size = 227px
| company_type =
| url = {{official|mouthshut.com}}
| website_type = [[Review website|Review and ratings]]
| location = [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
| launched = 2000
| founder = [[Faisal Farooqui]]
| industry =
| advertising =
| native_clients =
| commercial = Yes
| registration = Required for posting
| current_status = Active
}}

'''Mouthshut.com''' is a consumer review and rating platform<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reddy |first=Sujata |date=2017-03-01 |title=Food above all! Not just meetings, Mouthshut's Faisal Farooqui pitches in at the office canteen too |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/food-above-all-not-just-meetings-mouthshuts-faisal-farooqui-pitches-in-at-the-office-canteen-too/articleshow/57405035.cms?from=mdr |access-date= |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> founded in 2000 by [[Faisal Farooqui]].<ref>{{Cite web |title='Work for the sake of passion, not a paycheck' |url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2009/jun/30work-for-the-sake-of-passion-not-a-paycheck.htm |access-date= |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mouthshut.com (India) Private Limited Information |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/company/ |access-date= |website=The Economic Times |language=en}}</ref> The platform hosts user-written reviews and ratings for over 800,000 products and services available in India. The platform covers over 400 categories.<ref name="ft2">{{cite web |title=India: Diligent shoppers offer opportunity to manufacturers - FT.com |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4aeecaea-bec6-11df-a755-00144feab49a |accessdate=14 January 2014 |publisher=ft.com}}</ref> The company has been involved in legal challenges regarding internet intermediary rules, notably petitioning the Supreme Court against provisions of the Information Technology Rules, 2021, which led to the repeal of Section 66A and the reading down of intermediary guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Datta |first=Saurav |title=This Supreme Court petition could be a big step in the fight for Internet democracy in India |url=http://scroll.in/article/678539/this-supreme-court-petition-could-be-a-big-step-in-the-fight-for-internet-democracy-in-india |access-date= |website=Scroll.in |date=18 September 2014 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Shreeja |date=2014-08-30 |title=SC seeks govt reply on PIL challenging powers of IT Act |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/DSjZ9XsezZ4fN2GGfkWu1N/SC-seeks-govt-reply-on-PIL-challenging-powers-of-IT-Act.html |access-date= |website=mint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pahwa |first=Nikhil |date=2013-04-29 |title=MouthShut Challenges IT Rules In The Supreme Court Of India |url=https://www.medianama.com/2013/04/223-mouthshut-it-rules-supreme-court-of-india/ |access-date= |website=MediaNama |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
Faisal Farooqui conceived the idea of a review website in 1998 while attending the [[State University of New York]] at [[Binghamton, New York|Binghamton]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian civil society to WhatsApp, Facebook: Ask users before they are added to group chats |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/indian-civil-society-to-whatsapp-facebook-ask-users-before-they-are-added-to-group-chats-2580949.html |access-date= |website=Moneycontrol |date=June 2018 |language=en}}</ref> He recognized the significance of customer feedback for business growth during a class.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Shanbaug |first=Amit |date=2011-12-19 |title=Mouthshut.com: Building funds via feedback |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/mouthshut-com-building-funds-via-feedback/articleshow/11143968.cms?from=mdr |access-date= |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

He returned to [[India]] and launched MouthShut.com in late 2000. The platform was initially marketed via a curated email list of 1800 individuals, including contacts of the company's initial employees, staff, friends, and relatives.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-10-29 |title=Swades, the dotcom way - Express Computer |url=http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20051003/technologylife02.shtml |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029150704/http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20051003/technologylife02.shtml |archive-date=2005-10-29 }}</ref>

Later, Farooqui used the rear space of [[Auto rickshaw|auto rickshaws]] as a medium to promote the website.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitra |first=Moinak |date=2007-03-23 |title=Chunnu, Munnu left out as autos load dotcom ads |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/chunnu-munnu-left-out-as-autos-load-dotcom-ads/articleshow/1795954.cms |access-date= |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dotcoms discover a new marketing vehicle |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-dotcoms-discover-a-new-marketing-vehicle-1055159 |access-date= |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> In 2001, the team implemented a 'Dial-the-CEO' option, allowing users to provide direct feedback.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-04-20 |title=Ice people: Faisal Farooqui |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/ice-people-faisal-farooqui-105042001022_1.html |access-date= |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Video reviews for products and services were enabled on the platform in December 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MouthShut.com launches video review and video blogging platform - Exchange4media |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/mouthshut.com-launches-video-review-and-video-blogging-platform-24022.html |access-date= |website= |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2007, Farooqui expanded the video review concept into a dedicated video review platform, Dekhona.com.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cherian |first=Jacob |date=2007-11-02 |title=Making money with the click of a mouse |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/starting-up/making-money-with-the-click-of-a-mouse/articleshow/2510636.cms |access-date= |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

In December 2008, the platform introduced mobile reviews that could be posted via an SMS shortcode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MouthShut.com launches mobile reviews |url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/digital/21886_mouthshutcom-launches-mobile-reviews |access-date= |website=afaqs!}}</ref>

In July 2012, the website transitioned from a reviews-only platform to one providing buying guides.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-12-30 |title=Mouthshut.com to start its own reviews |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/mouthshutcom-to-start-its-own-reviews/article23070759.ece |access-date= |website=www.thehindubusinessline.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Products ==
In May 2011, MouthShut.com launched Dealface.com, a website offering sales deals across industry segments. This was later integrated into Mouthshut.com.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saxena |first=Anupam |date=2011-05-13 |title=Deal Sites Launched By MouthShut, IndyaRocks; Suggestions |url=https://www.medianama.com/2011/05/223-mouthshut-dealface-indyarocks-dealyantra-dealnama/ |access-date= |website=MediaNama |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mouthshut.com launches Dealface.com |url=https://www.moneylife.in/article/mouthshutcom-launches-dealfacecom/16307.html |access-date= |website=Moneylife NEWS & VIEWS |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2014, the company launched its mobile application for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mallya |first=Harshith |date=2014-02-19 |title=App Review: Mouthshut's newly launched Android app |url=https://inc42.com/resources/app-review-mouthshuts-newly-launched-android-app/ |access-date= |website=Inc42 Media |language=en}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
In 2006, MouthShut received the [[Manthan Award]] for Best Youth Website from the [[Government of India|Govt. of India]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manthan Awards announced in 14 categories |url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/15690_manthan-awards-announced-in-14-categories |access-date= |website=afaqs!|date=8 August 2006 }}</ref>

MouthShut.com received the Best Portal of the Year - Gold award at the first India Digital Media Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chandra |first=Avinash |date=2023-02-01 |title=Meet India's Top Professional Bloggers who Dominate Blogosphere |url=https://www.brandloom.com/top-professional-bloggers |access-date= |website=BrandLoom Consulting |language=en-US}}</ref>

MouthShut CEO Faisal Farooqui has been credited with introducing [[Web 2.0]] concepts in India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive {{!}} Opinion, that matters: MouthShut's Faisal Farooqui |url=https://www.adgully.com/exclusive-opinion-that-matters-mouthshut-s-faisal-farooqui-51240.html |access-date= |website=www.adgully.com |date=31 July 2012 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Faisal is mentioned as one of the first Indian dotcom founders of the 21<sup>st</sup> century. <ref>{{Cite web |title=The First Class of the Indian Startups: The Unsung Heroes |url=https://www.startupguru.co/blog/the-first-class-of-indian-internet-startups/ |access-date=2020-07-11 |website=www.startupguru.co}}</ref>

== Mouthshut.com and freedom of speech ==
To protect its review writers from threats by brands, MouthShut stated in its filings with the [[Supreme Court of India]] that it would not reveal the identity of any review writers unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. On April 29, 2013, MouthShut.com filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India challenging India's [[Information Technology Rules, 2021|Information Technology Rules 2011]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-11 |title=We believe that a consumer's review is sacrosanct: MouthShut.com |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/opinion/interviews/story/we-believe-that-a-consumer-review-is-sacrosanct-mouthshutcom-133218-2014-03-11 |access-date= |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref> MouthShut.com argued that this law would effectively delegate essential executive functions, such as censoring and restricting citizens' free speech, to private parties like MouthShut.com, leaving them vulnerable to legal challenges over user content. The verdict was in favor of MouthShut.com, leading to the repeal of Section 66A and the reading down of IT Rules and intermediary guidelines.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Das |first=Soma |title=Section 66A of IT Act: We took up battle, big guys didn't, says MouthShut founder Faisal Farooqui |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/section-66a-of-it-act-we-took-up-battle-big-guys-didnt-says-mouthshut-founder-faisal-farooqui/articleshow/46683331.cms?from=mdr |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-24 |title=Sec 66A of IT act scrapped: 5 points observed by Supreme Court |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/sec-66a-of-it-act-scrapped-5-points-observed-by-supreme-court/story-EtZnxzRGrfsutSk5fjML4H.html |access-date=2020-11-21 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-03-24 |title=SC strikes down 'draconian' Section 66A |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-strikes-down-section-66-a-of-the-it-act-finds-it-unconstitutional/article61470585.ece |access-date= |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
In February 2014, MouthShut was blocked by [[Bangalore]]-based ISP ACT Internet company and its [[Hyderabad]]-based subsidiary [[Atria Convergence Technologies|Beam Fiber]], without a stated reason.<ref name="medianama">{{cite web |title=Update: Mouthshut Blocked By Beam Fibre; Issue Escalated To TRAI And DoT - MediaNama |url=http://www.medianama.com/2014/02/223-mouthshut-blocked-beam-trai-dot |accessdate=14 April 2015 |publisher=medianama.com}}</ref> The company escalated the issue with the [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI) and the [[Department of Telecommunications]] (DoT).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-29 |title=Nine Indian startup CEOs write to TRAI against zero-rating platforms |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/facebooks-free-basics-9-indian-startup-ceos-jointly-write-to-trai-chairman-against-it/ |access-date= |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Later, the website was unblocked by the two [[Internet service provider|ISPs]].<ref name="exchange4media">{{cite web |title=Mouthshut finally unblocked, will consider legal action against ISP |url=http://www.exchange4media.com/54504_mouthshut-finally-unblocked-will-consider-legal-action-against-isp.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220094520/http://www.exchange4media.com/54504_mouthshut-finally-unblocked-will-consider-legal-action-against-isp.html |archive-date=20 December 2014 |accessdate=14 April 2015 |publisher=exchange4media.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mouthshut finally unblocked, will consider legal action against ISP - Exchange4media |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/mouthshut-finally-unblockedwill-consider-legal-action-against-isp-54504.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2017, the company blocked 80,000 fake user profiles to prevent potential spamming and fake reviews.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sarkhel |first=Aritra |date=2017-12-05 |title=Mouthshut gags 80k fake user profiles |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/mouthshut-gags-80k-fake-user-profiles/articleshow/61924449.cms?from=mdr |access-date= |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-04-29 |title=Legal Notice To Faisal Farooqui For Remove Fake Review Post On His website Mouthshut.Com - IMTS INSTITUTE |url=https://imtsinstitute.com/legal-notice-to-faisal-farooqui-for-remove-fake-review-post-on-his-website-mouthshut-com/ |access-date= |language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2018, MouthShut.com deleted 4,100 user profiles that were posting fake reviews.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-06-13 |title=The Irony of a Name |url=https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/the-irony-of-a-name/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Open The Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Review websites]]

MouthShut.com - Revision history

NamVanwagenen: created new pg.