Ranking Score Explained

Hi there, 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.

Nick Morrison's avatar

Nick Morrison

Rankers owner

Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura

Valid Reviews

255 Valid Reviews

The Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura experience has a total of 257 reviews. There are 255 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 255 valid reviews:

Rating Count Percentage
10/10 135
53%
9/10 74
29%
8/10 32
13%
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%

92.90% Average

The raw data average (mean) for all the Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura valid reviews is 92.90% and is based on 255 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 255 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

92.29%

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 Face-to-Face Weight Relative Weight
Derek Green 8/10 198 days 93.79 90%
Michael Holm 9/10 286 days true 104.45 100%
Stefan Zink 10/10 538 days true 64.96 62%
Fentrup 9/10 544 days true 63.73 61%
Katharina Koch 10/10 548 days true 62.9 60%
Aurelie and Ben Marie 9/10 550 days true 62.48 59%
Sebastian Braun 9/10 638 days true 45.71 43%
Joanne Woo 10/10 655 days 35.68 34%
Chris 6/10 686 days 31.51 30%
Olivier Reculeau 10/10 872 days true 15.46 14%
Susanne Breudel 10/10 877 days true 15.04 14%
Josh Legge 10/10 885 days true 14.39 13%
Daniel Weber 9/10 887 days true 14.23 13%
Virginia Fradin 10/10 891 days true 13.91 13%
Olivier Anciaux 9/10 894 days true 13.68 12%
Wendy van Boom 10/10 894 days true 13.68 12%
Bas Hoogteijling 10/10 897 days true 13.45 12%
Mira Huckfield 10/10 907 days true 12.72 11%
Maike Santelmann 10/10 919 days true 11.89 11%
Levin Stuers 10/10 924 days true 11.56 10%
magdalena gomez haedo 9/10 927 days 9.47 8%
Lucca Weisbender 10/10 929 days 9.37 8%
Anna Scholten 10/10 930 days true 11.18 10%
Nils Kissel 10/10 940 days 8.81 8%
Madita and Lisann 10/10 976 days true 8.69 8%
sanneke tangel 10/10 982 days true 8.43 7%
Georgia Coleman 10/10 982 days true 8.43 7%
Virgil Spruit 8/10 986 days true 8.26 7%
Xue Rong Kok 7/10 991 days 6.71 6%
Anthony Jacobs 10/10 1113 days 4.98 4%
Sofie Jebsen 10/10 1256 days true 5.74 5%
Tobias 10/10 1256 days true 5.74 5%
Annika Funk 10/10 1292 days true 5.68 5%
Dawn Mulligan 10/10 1308 days true 5.65 5%
Christophe Scieszka 10/10 1325 days 4.68 4%
Hubert 8/10 1365 days true 5.56 5%
Ondrej Stepanek 8/10 1601 days true 5.17 4%
Boneschova Jarka 10/10 1601 days true 5.17 4%
Heike Heller 10/10 1610 days true 5.15 4%
Andreas Mouteiro 9/10 1610 days true 5.15 4%
Josefin Lind 10/10 1611 days true 5.15 4%
Herman Holmgist 10/10 1611 days true 5.15 4%
Felicitas 9/10 1633 days true 5.12 4%
Antoine 8/10 1641 days true 5.1 4%
Mara K 10/10 1660 days 4.23 3%
Emilie Chanbon 10/10 1663 days true 5.07 4%
Alexis Redor 10/10 1663 days true 5.07 4%
Julia Amberger 8/10 1682 days true 5.04 4%
Annalina Drebald 8/10 1682 days true 5.04 4%
balesdent 9/10 1688 days true 5.03 4%
Alineet Gautier 10/10 1691 days true 5.02 4%
Annika Schmidt 10/10 1971 days true 4.56 4%
Patrick Stoeit 10/10 1971 days true 4.56 4%
Audrey Ripoche 9/10 1973 days true 4.56 4%
Rey Germain 9/10 1973 days true 4.56 4%
Christofer Tonn 10/10 1983 days true 4.54 4%
Ann Furlong 10/10 1991 days true 4.53 4%
Trudy Ryan 8/10 1991 days true 4.53 4%
Jill Fischer 10/10 1997 days 3.76 3%
Kim 10/10 1997 days 3.76 3%
Francois Marchar 9/10 2007 days true 4.5 4%
Jan Zimmerman 10/10 2012 days true 4.49 3%
Elvin Teo 10/10 2025 days 3.73 3%
Rob 9/10 2073 days true 4.39 3%
Andreas Garbin 10/10 2075 days true 4.39 3%
Joanna 9/10 2093 days true 4.36 3%
Mellow 10/10 2117 days 3.6 3%
whalelover88 10/10 2270 days 3.39 2%
Jos Schieveen 8/10 2341 days true 3.95 3%
Goran Backlund 9/10 2347 days true 3.94 3%
Nathan Sait 10/10 2354 days true 3.93 3%
Toby Clark 10/10 2354 days true 3.93 3%
Maxine Gilman 10/10 2357 days true 3.93 3%
Harald 9/10 2371 days true 3.9 3%
Dominik Langenegger 9/10 2373 days true 3.9 3%
Rebecca Richardson 9/10 2373 days true 3.9 3%
Andrew Powell 9/10 2373 days true 3.9 3%
Peter Field 10/10 2373 days true 3.9 3%
Eric Lombaard 8/10 2374 days true 3.9 3%
Nicholas Prakenhammar 10/10 2375 days true 3.9 3%
Peter Wall 7/10 2375 days true 3.9 3%
Verne Heath 8/10 2376 days true 3.89 3%
John O'Donnell 10/10 2377 days true 3.89 3%
Paul Fairbrass 10/10 2384 days true 3.88 3%
Frank Krivauek 10/10 2385 days true 3.88 3%
Rocco Christian 7/10 2385 days true 3.88 3%
Kurt & Noemi Buhler 7/10 2386 days true 3.88 3%
Therese 7/10 2389 days true 3.87 3%
Katie K 9/10 2400 days true 3.85 3%
CMJ 10/10 2422 days 3.18 2%
Jacqueline 10/10 2453 days 3.14 2%
Marc & Pauline 9/10 2459 days true 3.76 3%
Kevin & Chris 9/10 2460 days true 3.76 3%
Robin & Sandra Dijke 9/10 2462 days true 3.75 3%
Laura McCusker 8/10 2469 days true 3.74 3%
Dexter 10/10 2667 days 2.85 2%
Jasmin Loeffler 10/10 2673 days true 3.41 2%
Natascha Rachel 10/10 2673 days true 3.41 2%
Res Kormann 10/10 2686 days true 3.38 2%
Sarah James 10/10 2696 days true 3.37 2%
Nick Taylor 10/10 2696 days true 3.37 2%
Nicola Young 10/10 2696 days true 3.37 2%
Stefan Elsenbruch 9/10 2701 days true 3.36 2%
Stefanie 7/10 2711 days true 3.34 2%
Koen Vanlede 10/10 2714 days true 3.34 2%
Van Vliet 8/10 2715 days true 3.34 2%
Vanessa Vogel 10/10 2718 days true 3.33 2%
Marcel Camsch 9/10 2720 days true 3.33 2%
Keely & Mark Haynes 10/10 2721 days true 3.33 2%
Svea Sauter 10/10 2721 days true 3.33 2%
henriket 10/10 2722 days true 3.33 2%
Amanda Wells 10/10 2722 days true 3.33 2%
K & J Overton 9/10 2722 days true 3.33 2%
Jerry & Floon 9/10 2726 days true 3.32 2%
Bartl 10/10 2726 days true 3.32 2%
travellingfamilyof6 10/10 2728 days 2.76 2%
WeddingMaven 10/10 2728 days 2.76 2%
Lieve Verdonck 8/10 2729 days true 3.31 2%
Victoria Purver 8/10 2731 days true 3.31 2%
Thelia Beament 9/10 2731 days true 3.31 2%
Edwards 9/10 2735 days true 3.3 2%
Mark Irwin 9/10 2739 days true 3.3 2%
Agnes McMillan 10/10 2740 days true 3.3 2%
Leslie 9/10 2740 days true 3.3 2%
Selina Mueller 10/10 2742 days true 3.29 2%
Jill Dean 10/10 2743 days true 3.29 2%
Chloe Finster 10/10 2743 days true 3.29 2%
Vanderhorst 9/10 2744 days true 3.29 2%
Judith K. 10/10 2746 days true 3.29 2%
Amanda Wallace 9/10 2746 days true 3.29 2%
Mark Aarts 10/10 2747 days true 3.28 2%
Forestal Youri 9/10 2748 days true 3.28 2%
Dave and Lin Mungham 10/10 2749 days true 3.28 2%
Jane Hancock 10/10 2751 days true 3.28 2%
Stephi 10/10 2756 days 2.72 2%
Amanda 10/10 2756 days 2.72 2%
Mick Doherty 9/10 2787 days 2.68 2%
hendrik king 7/10 2787 days 2.68 2%
Shoe 10/10 2818 days 2.64 2%
marcvergroesen 9/10 3032 days 2.35 1%
Jenny Leyland 9/10 3032 days 2.35 1%
MarcyMark 10/10 3062 days 2.31 1%
katrina Marshall 10/10 3079 days true 2.74 2%
Von 9/10 3093 days 2.26 1%
Judith 8/10 3099 days true 2.71 2%
Doris Resch 10/10 3099 days true 2.71 2%
Sheila Morgan 10/10 3102 days true 2.7 2%
Maria Newton 9/10 3103 days true 2.7 2%
Faller 10/10 3116 days true 2.68 2%
Wim Van Gastel 8/10 3119 days true 2.67 2%
Laura Walters 9/10 3120 days true 2.67 2%
Chance McGuire 10/10 3121 days 2.22 1%
cees juffermans 9/10 3134 days true 2.65 2%
Markus 10/10 3137 days true 2.64 2%
Grainne Ahern 10/10 3152 days 2.18 1%
sutuckey 10/10 3152 days 2.18 1%
Honeymooners 10/10 3152 days 2.18 1%
sophiep 9/10 3167 days true 2.59 2%
chuckchallenger 10/10 3183 days 2.14 1%
mdarras 9/10 3187 days true 2.56 2%
joramv 9/10 3187 days true 2.56 2%
Michelle Kraemer 10/10 3190 days true 2.56 2%
Kimberly Skyes 10/10 3190 days true 2.56 2%
Ruth Colmer 9/10 3193 days true 2.55 2%
maleta 8/10 3204 days true 2.53 2%
Simon_and_Jane_OZ 9/10 3397 days 1.85 1%
JoF 10/10 3419 days true 2.18 1%
Christian Kamm 10/10 3424 days true 2.17 1%
Michael Maddams 7/10 3425 days true 2.17 1%
Joanna Harrnon 10/10 3426 days true 2.17 1%
Sarah 8/10 3426 days true 2.17 1%
David 10/10 3427 days 1.81 1%
jjakkeren 9/10 3427 days true 2.17 1%
Alanna 10/10 3428 days true 2.16 1%
ElissaH 10/10 3429 days true 2.16 1%
Andrew Smith 9/10 3433 days true 2.16 1%
Jean 10/10 3443 days true 2.14 1%
CarinaB1 10/10 3448 days true 2.13 1%
Lindsey 9/10 3458 days 1.76 1%
Lisa 10/10 3463 days true 2.11 1%
Laura 8/10 3466 days true 2.1 1%
kiwibrit86 9/10 3468 days 1.75 1%
Visken 10/10 3470 days true 2.1 1%
Christina 10/10 3475 days true 2.09 1%
RachaelO 10/10 3477 days true 2.08 1%
Marianne 10/10 3477 days true 2.08 1%
Peppa 10/10 3477 days true 2.08 1%
Jackie 9/10 3491 days true 2.06 1%
Patrick 9/10 3491 days true 2.06 1%
Carla 8/10 3493 days true 2.06 1%
Keith 10/10 3498 days 1.71 1%
Saskia 9/10 3499 days true 2.05 1%
Patrick 10/10 3503 days true 2.04 1%
Charlie 9/10 3507 days true 2.04 1%
Ten 10/10 3507 days true 2.04 1%
Kevin Dangerfield 10/10 3516 days 1.68 1%
Graham 9/10 3531 days true 2.0 1%
David 10/10 3540 days true 1.98 1%
Eveline 10/10 3540 days true 1.98 1%
Mette 10/10 3547 days true 1.97 1%
Rowan 9/10 3572 days true 1.93 1%
Hanna 10/10 3572 days true 1.93 1%
Sally Walker 10/10 3578 days 1.6 1%
abby 10/10 3583 days true 1.91 1%
Paul 10/10 3594 days true 1.89 1%
Peter 10/10 3602 days true 1.88 1%
Anna 10/10 3624 days true 1.84 1%
Liz 9/10 3633 days true 1.83 1%
Laura 8/10 3633 days true 1.83 1%
Amy Shields 7/10 3637 days true 1.82 1%
Erin 9/10 3645 days true 1.81 1%
George Burgas 7/10 3651 days true 1.8 1%
Sharon Curly 7/10 3659 days true 1.79 1%
Peddy 8/10 3662 days 1.48 1%
Christine 9/10 3675 days true 1.76 1%
Charlie Bond 8/10 3708 days true 1.7 1%
SandyS 10/10 3762 days 1.35 0%
BexStar 10/10 3775 days 1.33 0%
Galen 9/10 3793 days true 1.56 1%
Monica Black 10/10 3793 days true 1.56 1%
Denise 10/10 3810 days true 1.54 1%
Ria 9/10 3814 days true 1.53 1%
Christian 7/10 3814 days true 1.53 1%
Wiebke 9/10 3818 days true 1.52 1%
Phil Connelly 9/10 3819 days true 1.52 1%
Amanda 9/10 3825 days true 1.51 1%
Erwin de Kleijn 9/10 3832 days true 1.5 1%
Nick 10/10 3841 days true 1.49 1%
John 9/10 3841 days true 1.49 1%
Sandra Gustafson 10/10 3869 days true 1.44 1%
Jo 10/10 3869 days true 1.44 1%
Helena 10/10 3870 days true 1.44 1%
Seldam 8/10 3875 days true 1.43 1%
Andrew Purdam 7/10 3883 days 1.18 0%
Gerber Liselotte 10/10 3901 days true 1.39 0%
Gabriela Herger 8/10 3909 days true 1.37 0%
Jane Coleman 8/10 3912 days true 1.37 0%
Wendy Williams 9/10 3919 days true 1.36 0%
Claire 8/10 4143 days true 0.99 0%
Will 9/10 4143 days true 0.99 0%
JanKovar 10/10 4145 days true 0.99 0%
Justin 10/10 4148 days true 0.98 0%
Beth 9/10 4154 days true 0.97 0%
Hanneke 9/10 4155 days true 0.97 0%
Cat 8/10 4157 days true 0.97 0%
MartinTrenker 9/10 4163 days true 0.96 0%
Janneke 10/10 4164 days true 0.96 0%
Renee 9/10 4167 days true 0.95 0%
Elke 8/10 4182 days true 0.93 0%
Malon 10/10 4183 days true 0.92 0%
Ralph 10/10 4192 days true 0.91 0%
Lucy 10/10 4192 days true 0.91 0%
Gordon 8/10 4204 days true 0.89 0%
Beate 9/10 4205 days true 0.89 0%
MartinJago 8/10 4216 days true 0.87 0%

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

-2.42% Adjustment

There may be an adjustment if an experience hasn't received any reviews within the last 60 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 364 days.

The Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura experience has been adjusted for 121 days. Adjustments are according to the following table.

Days Adjustment
……
118 -2.36%
119 -2.38%
120 -2.40%
121 -2.42%
122 -2.44%
123 -2.46%
124 -2.48%
……

Final Ranking Score

90%

The final ranking score once adjustments and rounding has been applied. This value is cached and recalculated each day. Therefore it may not be precisely accurate based on the other values presented.

If you have any questions or comments about our ranking score calculation please get in touch at info@rankers.co.nz.