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Ranking Score Explained

Kia ora, 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

93.06%

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 9/10 484 days 100%
Lisa 10/10 1183 days 33%
Michael Holm 9/10 2700 days 3%
Stefan Zink 10/10 2952 days 3%
Fentrup 9/10 2958 days 3%
Katharina Koch 10/10 2962 days 3%
Aurelie and Ben Marie 9/10 2964 days 3%
Sebastian Braun 9/10 3052 days 2%
Joanne Woo 10/10 3070 days 2%
Chris 6/10 3101 days 2%
Olivier Reculeau 10/10 3286 days 2%
Susanne Breudel 10/10 3291 days 2%
Josh Legge 10/10 3299 days 2%
Daniel Weber 9/10 3301 days 2%
Virginia Fradin 10/10 3305 days 2%
Olivier Anciaux 9/10 3308 days 2%
Wendy van Boom 10/10 3308 days 2%
Bas Hoogteijling 10/10 3311 days 2%
Mira Huckfield 10/10 3321 days 2%
Maike Santelmann 10/10 3333 days 2%
Levin Stuers 10/10 3338 days 2%
magdalena gomez haedo 9/10 3341 days 2%
Lucca Weisbender 10/10 3344 days 2%
Anna Scholten 10/10 3344 days 2%
Nils Kissel 10/10 3354 days 2%
Madita and Lisann 10/10 3390 days 2%
sanneke tangel 10/10 3396 days 2%
Georgia Coleman 10/10 3396 days 2%
Virgil Spruit 8/10 3400 days 2%
Xue Rong Kok 7/10 3406 days 1%
Anthony Jacobs 10/10 3528 days 1%
Sofie Jebsen 10/10 3670 days 1%
Tobias 10/10 3670 days 1%
Annika Funk 10/10 3706 days 1%
Dawn Mulligan 10/10 3722 days 1%
Christophe Scieszka 10/10 3740 days 1%
Hubert 8/10 3779 days 1%
Ondrej Stepanek 8/10 4015 days 0%
Boneschova Jarka 10/10 4015 days 0%
Heike Heller 10/10 4024 days 0%
Andreas Mouteiro 9/10 4024 days 0%
Josefin Lind 10/10 4025 days 0%
Herman Holmgist 10/10 4025 days 0%
Felicitas 9/10 4047 days 0%
Antoine 8/10 4055 days 0%
Mara K 10/10 4074 days 0%
Emilie Chanbon 10/10 4077 days 0%
Alexis Redor 10/10 4077 days 0%
Julia Amberger 8/10 4096 days 0%
Annalina Drebald 8/10 4096 days 0%
balesdent 9/10 4102 days 0%
Alineet Gautier 10/10 4105 days 0%
Annika Schmidt 10/10 4385 days 1%
Patrick Stoeit 10/10 4385 days 1%
Audrey Ripoche 9/10 4387 days 1%
Rey Germain 9/10 4387 days 1%
Christofer Tonn 10/10 4397 days 1%
Ann Furlong 10/10 4405 days 1%
Trudy Ryan 8/10 4405 days 1%
Jill Fischer 10/10 4411 days 1%
Kim 10/10 4411 days 1%
Francois Marchar 9/10 4421 days 1%
Jan Zimmerman 10/10 4426 days 1%
Elvin Teo 10/10 4439 days 1%
Rob 9/10 4487 days 1%
Andreas Garbin 10/10 4489 days 1%
Joanna 9/10 4507 days 1%
Mellow 10/10 4531 days 1%
whalelover88 10/10 4684 days 1%
Jos Schieveen 8/10 4755 days 1%
Goran Backlund 9/10 4761 days 1%
Nathan Sait 10/10 4768 days 1%
Toby Clark 10/10 4768 days 1%
Maxine Gilman 10/10 4771 days 1%
Harald 9/10 4785 days 1%
Dominik Langenegger 9/10 4787 days 1%
Rebecca Richardson 9/10 4787 days 1%
Andrew Powell 9/10 4787 days 1%
Peter Field 10/10 4787 days 1%
Eric Lombaard 8/10 4788 days 1%
Nicholas Prakenhammar 10/10 4789 days 1%
Peter Wall 7/10 4789 days 0%
Verne Heath 8/10 4790 days 1%
John O'Donnell 10/10 4791 days 1%
Paul Fairbrass 10/10 4798 days 1%
Frank Krivauek 10/10 4799 days 1%
Rocco Christian 7/10 4799 days 0%
Kurt & Noemi Buhler 7/10 4800 days 0%
Therese 7/10 4803 days 0%
Katie K 9/10 4814 days 1%
CMJ 10/10 4836 days 1%
Jacqueline 10/10 4867 days 1%
Marc & Pauline 9/10 4873 days 1%
Kevin & Chris 9/10 4874 days 1%
Robin & Sandra Dijke 9/10 4876 days 1%
Laura McCusker 8/10 4883 days 1%
Dexter 10/10 5081 days 1%
Jasmin Loeffler 10/10 5087 days 1%
Natascha Rachel 10/10 5087 days 1%
Res Kormann 10/10 5100 days 1%
Sarah James 10/10 5110 days 1%
Nick Taylor 10/10 5110 days 1%
Nicola Young 10/10 5110 days 1%
Stefan Elsenbruch 9/10 5115 days 1%
Stefanie 7/10 5125 days 0%
Koen Vanlede 10/10 5128 days 1%
Van Vliet 8/10 5129 days 1%
Vanessa Vogel 10/10 5132 days 1%
Marcel Camsch 9/10 5134 days 1%
Keely & Mark Haynes 10/10 5135 days 1%
Svea Sauter 10/10 5135 days 1%
henriket 10/10 5136 days 1%
Amanda Wells 10/10 5136 days 1%
K & J Overton 9/10 5136 days 1%
Jerry & Floon 9/10 5140 days 1%
Bartl 10/10 5140 days 1%
travellingfamilyof6 10/10 5142 days 1%
WeddingMaven 10/10 5142 days 1%
Lieve Verdonck 8/10 5143 days 1%
Victoria Purver 8/10 5145 days 1%
Thelia Beament 9/10 5145 days 1%
Edwards 9/10 5149 days 1%
Mark Irwin 9/10 5153 days 1%
Agnes McMillan 10/10 5154 days 1%
Leslie 9/10 5154 days 1%
Selina Mueller 10/10 5156 days 1%
Jill Dean 10/10 5157 days 1%
Chloe Finster 10/10 5157 days 1%
Vanderhorst 9/10 5158 days 1%
Judith K. 10/10 5160 days 1%
Amanda Wallace 9/10 5160 days 1%
Mark Aarts 10/10 5161 days 1%
Forestal Youri 9/10 5162 days 1%
Dave and Lin Mungham 10/10 5163 days 1%
Jane Hancock 10/10 5165 days 1%
Stephi 10/10 5170 days 1%
Amanda 10/10 5170 days 1%
Mick Doherty 9/10 5201 days 1%
hendrik king 7/10 5201 days 0%
Shoe 10/10 5232 days 1%
marcvergroesen 9/10 5446 days 1%
Jenny Leyland 9/10 5446 days 1%
MarcyMark 10/10 5476 days 1%
katrina Marshall 10/10 5493 days 1%
Von 9/10 5507 days 1%
Judith 8/10 5513 days 1%
Doris Resch 10/10 5513 days 1%
Sheila Morgan 10/10 5516 days 1%
Maria Newton 9/10 5517 days 1%
Faller 10/10 5530 days 1%
Wim Van Gastel 8/10 5533 days 1%
Laura Walters 9/10 5534 days 1%
Chance McGuire 10/10 5535 days 1%
cees juffermans 9/10 5548 days 1%
Markus 10/10 5551 days 1%
Grainne Ahern 10/10 5566 days 1%
sutuckey 10/10 5566 days 1%
Honeymooners 10/10 5566 days 1%
sophiep 9/10 5581 days 1%
chuckchallenger 10/10 5597 days 1%
mdarras 9/10 5601 days 1%
joramv 9/10 5601 days 1%
Michelle Kraemer 10/10 5604 days 1%
Kimberly Skyes 10/10 5604 days 1%
Ruth Colmer 9/10 5607 days 1%
maleta 8/10 5618 days 1%
Simon_and_Jane_OZ 9/10 5811 days 1%
JoF 10/10 5833 days 1%
Christian Kamm 10/10 5838 days 1%
Michael Maddams 7/10 5839 days 0%
Joanna Harrnon 10/10 5840 days 1%
Sarah 8/10 5841 days 1%
David 10/10 5841 days 1%
jjakkeren 9/10 5841 days 1%
Alanna 10/10 5843 days 1%
ElissaH 10/10 5843 days 1%
Andrew Smith 9/10 5847 days 1%
Jean 10/10 5858 days 1%
CarinaB1 10/10 5862 days 1%
Lindsey 9/10 5873 days 1%
Lisa 10/10 5878 days 1%
Laura 8/10 5880 days 1%
kiwibrit86 9/10 5883 days 1%
Visken 10/10 5885 days 1%
Christina 10/10 5890 days 1%
RachaelO 10/10 5891 days 1%
Marianne 10/10 5892 days 1%
Peppa 10/10 5892 days 1%
Jackie 9/10 5906 days 1%
Patrick 9/10 5906 days 1%
Carla 8/10 5907 days 1%
Keith 10/10 5913 days 1%
Saskia 9/10 5913 days 1%
Patrick 10/10 5918 days 1%
Charlie 9/10 5922 days 1%
Ten 10/10 5922 days 1%
Kevin Dangerfield 10/10 5931 days 1%
Graham 9/10 5945 days 1%
David 10/10 5955 days 1%
Eveline 10/10 5955 days 1%
Mette 10/10 5962 days 1%
Rowan 9/10 5987 days 1%
Hanna 10/10 5987 days 1%
Sally Walker 10/10 5992 days 1%
abby 10/10 5998 days 1%
Paul 10/10 6008 days 1%
Peter 10/10 6016 days 1%
Anna 10/10 6039 days 1%
Liz 9/10 6048 days 1%
Laura 8/10 6048 days 1%
Amy Shields 7/10 6052 days 0%
Erin 9/10 6060 days 1%
George Burgas 7/10 6066 days 0%
Sharon Curly 7/10 6074 days 0%
Peddy 8/10 6076 days 1%
Christine 9/10 6090 days 1%
Charlie Bond 8/10 6123 days 1%
SandyS 10/10 6176 days 1%
BexStar 10/10 6190 days 1%
Galen 9/10 6207 days 1%
Monica Black 10/10 6207 days 1%
Denise 10/10 6224 days 1%
Ria 9/10 6228 days 1%
Christian 7/10 6228 days 0%
Wiebke 9/10 6232 days 1%
Phil Connelly 9/10 6233 days 1%
Amanda 9/10 6239 days 1%
Erwin de Kleijn 9/10 6246 days 1%
Nick 10/10 6255 days 1%
John 9/10 6255 days 1%
Sandra Gustafson 10/10 6283 days 1%
Jo 10/10 6283 days 1%
Helena 10/10 6284 days 1%
Seldam 8/10 6289 days 1%
Andrew Purdam 7/10 6297 days 0%
Gerber Liselotte 10/10 6315 days 1%
Gabriela Herger 8/10 6323 days 1%
Jane Coleman 8/10 6326 days 1%
Wendy Williams 9/10 6333 days 1%
Claire 8/10 6557 days 1%
Will 9/10 6557 days 1%
JanKovar 10/10 6559 days 1%
Justin 10/10 6562 days 1%
Beth 9/10 6568 days 1%
Hanneke 9/10 6569 days 1%
Cat 8/10 6571 days 1%
MartinTrenker 9/10 6577 days 1%
Janneke 10/10 6578 days 1%
Renee 9/10 6581 days 1%
Elke 8/10 6596 days 1%
Malon 10/10 6597 days 1%
Ralph 10/10 6606 days 1%
Lucy 10/10 6606 days 1%
Gordon 8/10 6618 days 1%
Beate 9/10 6619 days 1%
MartinJago 8/10 6630 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

-3.79% Adjustment

There may be an adjustment if this experience hasn't received any reviews within the last 59 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 -3.73%
198 -3.75%
199 -3.77%
200 -3.79%
201 -3.81%
202 -3.83%
203 -3.85%
… …

Balancing Adjustment

1.10% 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.