Amaazon opened up reviews on their site. What advantage/profit do rev iews bring to the business?

Is is that it reassures others to go purchase the product or somthing?

I think you're right.

There's also the psychology that people who participate with an organization are more apt to support it. So the reviewer becomes a more dedicated customer.

Yes, customer reviews can provide several advantages and profits to a business like Amazon. Here are a few ways they benefit the company:

1. Increased Sales: Positive reviews can boost customer confidence and encourage people to purchase products. When potential buyers see positive feedback and recommendations from other customers, they are more likely to trust the product and make a purchase.

2. Influence Buying Decisions: Reviews serve as social proof, meaning that positive reviews can influence potential customers to choose a specific product over others. Customers often look for authentic, unbiased, and detailed feedback to make informed decisions.

3. Improved Search Rankings: Customer reviews can impact a product's visibility in search results on Amazon. The algorithm takes into account metrics like review quantity, average rating, recency of reviews, and keywords used in reviews. Higher-rated products and those with more reviews often perform better in search rankings, leading to increased visibility and potential sales.

4. Feedback and Product Development: Reviews provide valuable feedback to businesses. They can identify what customers like or dislike about a product, its features, packaging, or pricing. This feedback can help companies improve their products and enhance customer satisfaction.

5. Trust and Credibility: Customer reviews build trust and credibility for a business. When customers see positive reviews and high ratings, they perceive the company as reliable and trustworthy. This can attract new customers, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the brand, and result in increased sales.

It's important to note that while customer reviews can bring benefits, they have to be genuine and from real customers to maintain the integrity of the system. Companies implement measures to detect and prevent fake or manipulated reviews to ensure the authenticity of the feedback.