Massachusetts museum goes viral for merchandise featuring bad Google review

28 Jul 2026 • 7:59 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Massachusetts museum goes viral for merchandise featuring bad Google review

  • The New Bedford Whaling Museum has successfully turned a negative 2020 Google review, labelling it the “worst aquarium ever”, into a highly popular merchandise line.
  • The merchandise, which features the one-star review on the back and a whale skeleton on the front, has garnered global attention and significantly boosted sales.
  • Following a segment on CBS Evening News, the museum received 738 online orders for the “worst aquarium” items in under 24 hours, leading to a 250 per cent increase in weekly sales.
  • Emily Roznoy, the museum's visitor experience manager, designed the merchandise after hearing staff jokes about the review and seeing a similar concept used by a restaurant.
  • The museum, which recently installed a small aquarium exhibit, sees the witty merchandise as a way to connect with a broader audience and showcase its engaging, community-focused approach.

IN FULL

Newswav Malaysia Best News App

Newswav is an online content aggregator and obtains its content from different online sources. The content in the app do not belong to Newswav nor do they reflect the opinions of Newswav and its staff. Your use of this app indicates your understanding and acceptance of this information.

Newswav Sdn. Bhd. (201701008480 (1222645-M)) 2026 All Rights Reserved