I don't use trivago but I've found booking.com very helpful and reliable. I usually price check with the direct site and do book direct of the terms are similar. Of course there's a commission to pay so hardly unusual. The reviews and specifics about the reviewer are relevant not just what the search function throws up. Flights are completely different. I'll keep using them. I prefer them to Airbnb but also use that platform too. I expect there are the same issues there. I don't see the business practice model issue is relevant if I'm looking at booking large scale hotels. People don't want to spend time trawling though individual small hotel websites in a google search and that of course assumes they have designed a good website with good search terms. And many small places only use FB to avoid the use of a website anyway.
I usually only post a review on Product review if it's been a poor experience. I don't have time nor the will to post all the positive experiences I've had.
