How do you know if an online booking is real?

So, how can we, as consumers, truly discern whether an online booking platform is legitimate or not? With so many options available online, it's easy to get overwhelmed and make a hasty decision. What are some key indicators that we should look out for when making an online booking? Should we always rely on customer reviews, or are there other, more reliable methods of verification? How can we protect ourselves from falling victim to scams and fraudulent activities?