Aware of hidden agendas, people no longer believe in the possibility of absolute truth or complete transparency from institutions, public figures, and individuals. Yet they are still drawn to honesty, integrity, and – at times – even vulnerability, which they expect from peers and brands alike.

With the launch of its Web Annotator tool, Genius is now giving people the opportunity to comment on every webpage in existence. It boasts the potential to change the way we read the news on the internet, but could it also expose digital creators to anonymous trolls and bullies?

Opinary is a platform that allows public opinion to be gauged. Publishers embed the app on their sites, and users can plot on a spectrum where they stand in relation to various issues – covering everything from how good yesterday’s episode ofStrictlywas, to where people stand on capital punishment.

When Reddit launched its Upvoted podcast in early 2015, it was with the intention of highlighting the user-generated stories that often get highjacked by mainstream media. The site has now thrown caution to the wind, opting to launch its own standalone news website, also called Upvoted.

As professional critics lament their ebbing influence on consumers who increasingly rely on the opinions of online peers, the question is being raised of whether top-down reviewers matter anymore. Are crowdsourced reviews – a sort of ‘online word of mouth’ – the only currency that counts?