Hi, thanks for your interest in how we calculate an experience's ranking score. It's at the core of Rankers so I'm pleased you're curious.

The ranking score percentage is used to compare and sort experiences in ranking tables. It is not necessarily a direct measurement of the quality of a particular experience as rated by its customers. I've found it a useful tool to allow me to find the best experiences with confidence. But I've also found it important to read the customer reviews before making any final judgements!

We calculate an experience's ranking score using a multi-factor data model instead of a raw data average (mean). This model takes into account several important questions. For instance - is there a trusted body of reviews? What is the age of a review and is the review from a credible source?

Below you'll find details around some of the important factors that went into calculating the ranking score for Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura.

If you have any questions or comments about our ranking score calculation please get in touch at info@rankers.co.nz. We don't believe this is perfect or complete so we're always interested in ways we might make improvements.

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Cymen Crick

Rankers Owner

Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura

Valid Reviews

256 Valid Reviews

The Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura experience has a total of 258 reviews. There are 256 valid reviews that are included when calculating the ranking score and 2 invalid reviews that are excluded from the calculation. Reviews can be excluded only when a reviewer is not verified or after an investigation by our team determines the reviewer is not genuine.

Below is the distribution of ratings for the 256 valid reviews:

Rating Count Percentage
10/10 136
53%
9/10 75
29%
8/10 31
12%
7/10 13
5%
6/10 1
0%
5/10 0
0%
4/10 0
0%
3/10 0
0%
2/10 0
0%
1/10 0
0%

92.97% Average

The raw data average (mean) for all the Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura valid reviews is 92.97% and is based on 256 valid reviews. This value is not used to calculate the ranking score and it only provided here as a comparison to the weighted average.

Face-to-Face Reviews

210 Face-to-Face Reviews

The Rankers team meets with travellers while they’re in New Zealand and conducts face-to-face surveys. These reviews, in our opinion, are the most trusted in the industry and represent a critical control sample. To our knowledge, we are the only travel review website in the world that has gone to this extent.

More about face-to-face reviews

Within the 256 valid reviews, the experience has 210 face-to-face reviews collected during interviews by our team.

Below is the distribution of ratings for the 210 face-to-face reviews:

Rating Count Percentage
10/10 104
50%
9/10 66
31%
8/10 30
14%
7/10 10
5%
6/10 0
0%
5/10 0
0%
4/10 0
0%
3/10 0
0%
2/10 0
0%
1/10 0
0%

92.57% Average

The raw data average (mean) for all the Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura face-to-face reviews is 92.57% and is based on 210 face-to-face reviews. This value is not used to calculate the ranking score and it only provided here for comparison purposes.

Weighted Average

93.05%

Rankers calculates a weighted mean as a base average on which we can improve. Individual review's ratings are given a weight based on several factors. The weight of a review determines the overall impact it'll have on the final weighted average.

Recent reviews have more weight as they are more relevant and reflect the experience as it currently operates. Over time reviews become less relevant and loose their impact on the ranking score.

Low rating reviews carry slightly less weight. This dampens the effect of very low ratings for every experience across the board. This is especially important when the experience has few reviews overall and a single negative rating can grossly mischaracterise an experience. Consistent poor reviews will still result in the experience receiving a comparitively low ranking score.

Credible sources provide reviews that can be trusted. If we have verified a reviewer is genuine via a face-to-face meeting then the review carries additional weight.

Reviewer Rating Age Relative Weight
Wil 9/10 447 days 100%
Lisa 10/10 1146 days 36%
Michael Holm 9/10 2663 days 4%
Stefan Zink 10/10 2915 days 3%
Fentrup 9/10 2921 days 3%
Katharina Koch 10/10 2925 days 3%
Aurelie and Ben Marie 9/10 2927 days 3%
Sebastian Braun 9/10 3015 days 3%
Joanne Woo 10/10 3032 days 3%
Chris 6/10 3063 days 3%
Olivier Reculeau 10/10 3249 days 3%
Susanne Breudel 10/10 3254 days 2%
Josh Legge 10/10 3262 days 2%
Daniel Weber 9/10 3264 days 2%
Virginia Fradin 10/10 3268 days 2%
Olivier Anciaux 9/10 3271 days 2%
Wendy van Boom 10/10 3271 days 2%
Bas Hoogteijling 10/10 3274 days 2%
Mira Huckfield 10/10 3284 days 2%
Maike Santelmann 10/10 3296 days 2%
Levin Stuers 10/10 3301 days 2%
magdalena gomez haedo 9/10 3304 days 2%
Lucca Weisbender 10/10 3306 days 2%
Anna Scholten 10/10 3307 days 2%
Nils Kissel 10/10 3317 days 2%
Madita and Lisann 10/10 3353 days 2%
sanneke tangel 10/10 3359 days 2%
Georgia Coleman 10/10 3359 days 2%
Virgil Spruit 8/10 3363 days 2%
Xue Rong Kok 7/10 3368 days 2%
Anthony Jacobs 10/10 3490 days 2%
Sofie Jebsen 10/10 3633 days 2%
Tobias 10/10 3633 days 2%
Annika Funk 10/10 3669 days 2%
Dawn Mulligan 10/10 3685 days 2%
Christophe Scieszka 10/10 3702 days 1%
Hubert 8/10 3742 days 1%
Ondrej Stepanek 8/10 3978 days 1%
Boneschova Jarka 10/10 3978 days 1%
Heike Heller 10/10 3987 days 1%
Andreas Mouteiro 9/10 3987 days 1%
Josefin Lind 10/10 3988 days 1%
Herman Holmgist 10/10 3988 days 1%
Felicitas 9/10 4010 days 1%
Antoine 8/10 4018 days 1%
Mara K 10/10 4037 days 1%
Emilie Chanbon 10/10 4040 days 1%
Alexis Redor 10/10 4040 days 1%
Julia Amberger 8/10 4059 days 1%
Annalina Drebald 8/10 4059 days 1%
balesdent 9/10 4065 days 1%
Alineet Gautier 10/10 4068 days 1%
Annika Schmidt 10/10 4348 days 0%
Patrick Stoeit 10/10 4348 days 0%
Audrey Ripoche 9/10 4350 days 0%
Rey Germain 9/10 4350 days 0%
Christofer Tonn 10/10 4360 days 0%
Ann Furlong 10/10 4368 days 0%
Trudy Ryan 8/10 4368 days 0%
Jill Fischer 10/10 4374 days 0%
Kim 10/10 4374 days 0%
Francois Marchar 9/10 4384 days 1%
Jan Zimmerman 10/10 4389 days 1%
Elvin Teo 10/10 4402 days 1%
Rob 9/10 4450 days 1%
Andreas Garbin 10/10 4452 days 1%
Joanna 9/10 4470 days 1%
Mellow 10/10 4494 days 1%
whalelover88 10/10 4647 days 1%
Jos Schieveen 8/10 4718 days 1%
Goran Backlund 9/10 4724 days 1%
Nathan Sait 10/10 4731 days 1%
Toby Clark 10/10 4731 days 1%
Maxine Gilman 10/10 4734 days 1%
Harald 9/10 4748 days 1%
Dominik Langenegger 9/10 4750 days 1%
Rebecca Richardson 9/10 4750 days 1%
Andrew Powell 9/10 4750 days 1%
Peter Field 10/10 4750 days 1%
Eric Lombaard 8/10 4751 days 1%
Nicholas Prakenhammar 10/10 4752 days 1%
Peter Wall 7/10 4752 days 1%
Verne Heath 8/10 4753 days 1%
John O'Donnell 10/10 4754 days 1%
Paul Fairbrass 10/10 4761 days 1%
Frank Krivauek 10/10 4762 days 1%
Rocco Christian 7/10 4762 days 1%
Kurt & Noemi Buhler 7/10 4763 days 1%
Therese 7/10 4766 days 1%
Katie K 9/10 4777 days 1%
CMJ 10/10 4799 days 1%
Jacqueline 10/10 4830 days 1%
Marc & Pauline 9/10 4836 days 1%
Kevin & Chris 9/10 4837 days 1%
Robin & Sandra Dijke 9/10 4839 days 1%
Laura McCusker 8/10 4846 days 1%
Dexter 10/10 5044 days 1%
Jasmin Loeffler 10/10 5050 days 1%
Natascha Rachel 10/10 5050 days 1%
Res Kormann 10/10 5063 days 1%
Sarah James 10/10 5073 days 1%
Nick Taylor 10/10 5073 days 1%
Nicola Young 10/10 5073 days 1%
Stefan Elsenbruch 9/10 5078 days 1%
Stefanie 7/10 5088 days 1%
Koen Vanlede 10/10 5091 days 1%
Van Vliet 8/10 5092 days 1%
Vanessa Vogel 10/10 5095 days 1%
Marcel Camsch 9/10 5097 days 1%
Keely & Mark Haynes 10/10 5098 days 1%
Svea Sauter 10/10 5098 days 1%
henriket 10/10 5099 days 1%
Amanda Wells 10/10 5099 days 1%
K & J Overton 9/10 5099 days 1%
Jerry & Floon 9/10 5103 days 1%
Bartl 10/10 5103 days 1%
travellingfamilyof6 10/10 5105 days 1%
WeddingMaven 10/10 5105 days 1%
Lieve Verdonck 8/10 5106 days 1%
Victoria Purver 8/10 5108 days 1%
Thelia Beament 9/10 5108 days 1%
Edwards 9/10 5112 days 1%
Mark Irwin 9/10 5116 days 1%
Agnes McMillan 10/10 5117 days 1%
Leslie 9/10 5117 days 1%
Selina Mueller 10/10 5119 days 1%
Jill Dean 10/10 5120 days 1%
Chloe Finster 10/10 5120 days 1%
Vanderhorst 9/10 5121 days 1%
Judith K. 10/10 5123 days 1%
Amanda Wallace 9/10 5123 days 1%
Mark Aarts 10/10 5124 days 1%
Forestal Youri 9/10 5125 days 1%
Dave and Lin Mungham 10/10 5126 days 1%
Jane Hancock 10/10 5128 days 1%
Stephi 10/10 5133 days 1%
Amanda 10/10 5133 days 1%
Mick Doherty 9/10 5164 days 1%
hendrik king 7/10 5164 days 1%
Shoe 10/10 5195 days 1%
marcvergroesen 9/10 5409 days 1%
Jenny Leyland 9/10 5409 days 1%
MarcyMark 10/10 5439 days 1%
katrina Marshall 10/10 5456 days 1%
Von 9/10 5470 days 1%
Judith 8/10 5476 days 1%
Doris Resch 10/10 5476 days 1%
Sheila Morgan 10/10 5479 days 1%
Maria Newton 9/10 5480 days 1%
Faller 10/10 5493 days 1%
Wim Van Gastel 8/10 5496 days 1%
Laura Walters 9/10 5497 days 1%
Chance McGuire 10/10 5498 days 1%
cees juffermans 9/10 5511 days 1%
Markus 10/10 5514 days 1%
Grainne Ahern 10/10 5529 days 1%
sutuckey 10/10 5529 days 1%
Honeymooners 10/10 5529 days 1%
sophiep 9/10 5544 days 1%
chuckchallenger 10/10 5560 days 1%
mdarras 9/10 5564 days 1%
joramv 9/10 5564 days 1%
Michelle Kraemer 10/10 5567 days 1%
Kimberly Skyes 10/10 5567 days 1%
Ruth Colmer 9/10 5570 days 1%
maleta 8/10 5581 days 1%
Simon_and_Jane_OZ 9/10 5774 days 1%
JoF 10/10 5796 days 1%
Christian Kamm 10/10 5801 days 1%
Michael Maddams 7/10 5802 days 1%
Joanna Harrnon 10/10 5803 days 1%
Sarah 8/10 5803 days 1%
David 10/10 5804 days 1%
jjakkeren 9/10 5804 days 1%
Alanna 10/10 5805 days 1%
ElissaH 10/10 5806 days 1%
Andrew Smith 9/10 5810 days 1%
Jean 10/10 5820 days 1%
CarinaB1 10/10 5825 days 1%
Lindsey 9/10 5835 days 1%
Lisa 10/10 5840 days 1%
Laura 8/10 5843 days 1%
kiwibrit86 9/10 5845 days 1%
Visken 10/10 5847 days 1%
Christina 10/10 5852 days 1%
RachaelO 10/10 5854 days 1%
Marianne 10/10 5854 days 1%
Peppa 10/10 5854 days 1%
Jackie 9/10 5868 days 1%
Patrick 9/10 5868 days 1%
Carla 8/10 5870 days 1%
Keith 10/10 5876 days 1%
Saskia 9/10 5876 days 1%
Patrick 10/10 5880 days 1%
Charlie 9/10 5884 days 1%
Ten 10/10 5884 days 1%
Kevin Dangerfield 10/10 5893 days 1%
Graham 9/10 5908 days 1%
David 10/10 5917 days 1%
Eveline 10/10 5917 days 1%
Mette 10/10 5924 days 1%
Rowan 9/10 5949 days 1%
Hanna 10/10 5949 days 1%
Sally Walker 10/10 5955 days 1%
abby 10/10 5961 days 1%
Paul 10/10 5971 days 1%
Peter 10/10 5979 days 1%
Anna 10/10 6001 days 1%
Liz 9/10 6010 days 1%
Laura 8/10 6010 days 1%
Amy Shields 7/10 6014 days 1%
Erin 9/10 6022 days 1%
George Burgas 7/10 6028 days 1%
Sharon Curly 7/10 6036 days 1%
Peddy 8/10 6039 days 1%
Christine 9/10 6052 days 1%
Charlie Bond 8/10 6085 days 1%
SandyS 10/10 6139 days 1%
BexStar 10/10 6152 days 1%
Galen 9/10 6170 days 1%
Monica Black 10/10 6170 days 1%
Denise 10/10 6187 days 1%
Ria 9/10 6191 days 1%
Christian 7/10 6191 days 1%
Wiebke 9/10 6195 days 1%
Phil Connelly 9/10 6196 days 1%
Amanda 9/10 6202 days 1%
Erwin de Kleijn 9/10 6209 days 1%
Nick 10/10 6218 days 1%
John 9/10 6218 days 1%
Sandra Gustafson 10/10 6246 days 1%
Jo 10/10 6246 days 1%
Helena 10/10 6247 days 1%
Seldam 8/10 6252 days 1%
Andrew Purdam 7/10 6260 days 1%
Gerber Liselotte 10/10 6278 days 1%
Gabriela Herger 8/10 6286 days 1%
Jane Coleman 8/10 6289 days 1%
Wendy Williams 9/10 6296 days 1%
Claire 8/10 6520 days 1%
Will 9/10 6520 days 1%
JanKovar 10/10 6522 days 1%
Justin 10/10 6525 days 1%
Beth 9/10 6531 days 1%
Hanneke 9/10 6532 days 1%
Cat 8/10 6534 days 1%
MartinTrenker 9/10 6540 days 1%
Janneke 10/10 6541 days 1%
Renee 9/10 6544 days 1%
Elke 8/10 6559 days 1%
Malon 10/10 6560 days 1%
Ralph 10/10 6569 days 1%
Lucy 10/10 6569 days 1%
Gordon 8/10 6581 days 1%
Beate 9/10 6582 days 1%
MartinJago 8/10 6593 days 1%

Adjustments

Several adjustments to the weighted average are added to improve relevancy and credibility. These adjustments apply equally to all experiences that meet the criteria.

Sample Size Adjustment

No Adjustment

A reasonable number of reviews are necessary in order for the average to be credible and for an experience to take a prime position within the ranking tables. As such, experiences with only a few reviews have a moderated score. This does not mean that the experience or the reviews can't be trusted. The Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura experience has plenty of reviews and does not meet the criteria for any adjustment.

Recent Reviews Adjustment

-4.14% Adjustment

There may be an adjustment if this experience hasn't received any reviews within the last 53 days. However the Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura experience does not meet the criteria for any adjustment.

In addition, an experience's ranking score may be adjusted for each day there is no new ranking. After 1 day the adjustment comes into effect. The maximum number of days that can be adjusted for is 200 days. Due to the seasonal nature of many businesses, this adjustment is applied dynamically throughout the year.

The Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura experience has been adjusted for 200 days. Adjustments are according to the following table.

Days Adjustment
197 -4.08%
198 -4.10%
199 -4.12%
200 -4.14%
201 -4.16%
202 -4.19%
203 -4.21%

Balancing Adjustment

1.15% Adjustment

Every experience's review score is adjusted to balance out the disproportional number of negative reviews that are contributed.

You won't be surprised to learn that disgruntled customers are more likely to leave a review than happy ones. They are motivated to share their experience and warn others. We consider this a good thing and it's why reading the reviews is important. However we've learned it can misrepresent the experience in a more overall sense.

We apply a balancing adjustment to counteract this effect and ensure the ranking score is a more fair representation of the experience. This adjustment is applied equally to all experiences.

Final Ranking Score

90%

The final ranking score once any adjustments, ratings, and rounding has been applied. This value is recalculated each day and a short rolling average is applied. Therefore it may not be precisely accurate based on the other values presented.