Angie’s List Search Manipulation Class Action Settlement

A proposed $1.4 million settlement has been reached with Angie’s List Inc. in connection with three putative class action lawsuits focusing on Angie’s List acceptance of advertising payments from service providers, and whether those payments affect service provider’s letter-grade ratings, reviews and place in search-result rankings.

Angie’s List is a subscription-based review service which allows consumers to share reviews and ratings of local service providers, such as contractors, dentists, and mechanics.

Members can then search the reviews and ratings via the Angie’s List website.

However, several members contend that Angie’s List falsely assures consumers that a service provider’s position in a member’s search results “is determined by their recent grade and number of reviews. Companies with the best ratings from members will appear first.”

This prompted lead plaintiffs Janell Moore, Gary Glick and Michelle Zygelman to initiate three separate class action lawsuits against Angie’s List similarly claiming that the company unfairly and deceptively lures consumers into paying for access to allegedly unfiltered, “passive,” consumer-driven search results and rankings of local service providers, and related content.

Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that Angie’s List manipulates “the List” for the company’s own economic gain, all without the consumer’s knowledge.

The class action lawsuits also claim that Angie’s List misstates that “businesses do not pay” to be on Angie’s List when eligible businesses can pay to advertise promotions and discounts through Angie’s List.

Angie’s List denies the claims and allegations made in the class actions. Angie’s List is settling to avoid the expense, inconvenience, risk, and disruption of litigation.

Class Members who want to object or exclude themselves from the Angie’s List settlement must do so by Oct. 24, 2016.

Who’s Eligible

Under the terms of the Angie’s List class action lawsuit settlement, you are a Class Member if you were a paying member of Angie’s List at any time between Mar. 11, 2009 and July 12, 2016.

Potential Award

VARIES.

Eligible Class Members can submit a Claim Form for an estimated payment of $5 or $10, or up to four months of free membership to Angie’s List, depending on your period of membership:

• If you paid to purchase or renew an Angie’s List membership between Mar. 11, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2013, you can choose to receive either an estimated payment of $10 or up to four free months of membership to Angie’s List (depending on how long you were a member)
• If you paid to purchase or renew an Angie’s List membership between Jan. 1, 2014 and July 12, 2016, you can choose to receive either an estimated payment of $5 or up to two free months of membership to Angie’s List (depending on how long you were a member)
• If you paid to purchase or renew an Angie’s List membership during both time periods above, you can receive both estimated cash payments or up to four months of free membership

Proof of Purchase

N/A.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

11/15/2016

Case Name

Moore v. Angie’s List Inc., Case No. 2:15-cv-01243, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Final Hearing

12/05/2016

UPDATE: On Dec. 12, 2016, the court granted the Angie’s List settlement final approval.  However, appeals have been filed.  Claims will not be paid until all appeals are exhausted.  We appreciate your ongoing patience. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.

UPDATE 2: On Jan. 13, 2017, the appeal to the Angie’s List settlement was dismissed.  Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

UPDATE 3: On May 30, 2017, Top Class Actions viewers who filed valid claims for the Angie’s List search manipulation class action settlement started receiving checks in the mail. 

Settlement Website

www.MoorevALSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Moore v. Angie’s List
Settlement Administrator
PO Box 4109
Portland, OR 97208-4109
888-293-9919

Class Counsel

Richard M. Golomb
Ruben Honik
David J. Stanoch
Kenneth J. Grunfeld
GOLOMB & HONIK PC

Kirk J. Wolden
CARTER WOLDEN CURTIS

Defense Counsel

Gordon Cooney, Jr.
Franco A. Corrado
MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP