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

254 Valid Reviews

The Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura experience has a total of 256 reviews. There are 254 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 254 valid reviews:

Rating Count Percentage
10/10 135
53%
9/10 74
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%

92.95% Average

The raw data average (mean) for all the Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura valid reviews is 92.95% and is based on 254 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 254 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

93.80%

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
Michael Holm 9/10 684 days true 31.77 100%
Stefan Zink 10/10 936 days true 9.01 28%
Fentrup 9/10 942 days true 8.71 27%
Katharina Koch 10/10 946 days true 8.52 27%
Aurelie and Ben Marie 9/10 948 days true 8.42 27%
Sebastian Braun 9/10 1036 days true 5.55 17%
Joanne Woo 10/10 1053 days 5.28 17%
Chris 6/10 1084 days 4.17 13%
Olivier Reculeau 10/10 1270 days true 4.7 15%
Susanne Breudel 10/10 1275 days true 4.69 15%
Josh Legge 10/10 1283 days true 4.68 15%
Daniel Weber 9/10 1285 days true 4.67 15%
Virginia Fradin 10/10 1289 days true 4.67 15%
Olivier Anciaux 9/10 1292 days true 4.66 15%
Wendy van Boom 10/10 1292 days true 4.66 15%
Bas Hoogteijling 10/10 1295 days true 4.66 15%
Mira Huckfield 10/10 1305 days true 4.64 15%
Maike Santelmann 10/10 1317 days true 4.62 15%
Levin Stuers 10/10 1322 days true 4.61 15%
magdalena gomez haedo 9/10 1325 days 4.61 14%
Lucca Weisbender 10/10 1327 days 4.6 14%
Anna Scholten 10/10 1328 days true 4.6 14%
Nils Kissel 10/10 1338 days 4.58 14%
Madita and Lisann 10/10 1374 days true 4.52 14%
sanneke tangel 10/10 1380 days true 4.51 14%
Georgia Coleman 10/10 1380 days true 4.51 14%
Virgil Spruit 8/10 1384 days true 4.28 13%
Xue Rong Kok 7/10 1389 days 4.09 13%
Anthony Jacobs 10/10 1511 days 4.29 13%
Sofie Jebsen 10/10 1654 days true 4.04 13%
Tobias 10/10 1654 days true 4.04 13%
Annika Funk 10/10 1690 days true 3.98 13%
Dawn Mulligan 10/10 1706 days true 3.95 12%
Christophe Scieszka 10/10 1723 days 3.92 12%
Hubert 8/10 1763 days true 3.66 12%
Ondrej Stepanek 8/10 1999 days true 3.28 10%
Boneschova Jarka 10/10 1999 days true 3.45 11%
Heike Heller 10/10 2008 days true 3.44 11%
Andreas Mouteiro 9/10 2008 days true 3.44 11%
Josefin Lind 10/10 2009 days true 3.43 11%
Herman Holmgist 10/10 2009 days true 3.43 11%
Felicitas 9/10 2031 days true 3.4 11%
Antoine 8/10 2039 days true 3.21 10%
Mara K 10/10 2058 days 3.35 11%
Emilie Chanbon 10/10 2061 days true 3.35 11%
Alexis Redor 10/10 2061 days true 3.35 11%
Julia Amberger 8/10 2080 days true 3.15 10%
Annalina Drebald 8/10 2080 days true 3.15 10%
balesdent 9/10 2086 days true 3.3 10%
Alineet Gautier 10/10 2089 days true 3.3 10%
Annika Schmidt 10/10 2369 days true 2.82 9%
Patrick Stoeit 10/10 2369 days true 2.82 9%
Audrey Ripoche 9/10 2371 days true 2.82 9%
Rey Germain 9/10 2371 days true 2.82 9%
Christofer Tonn 10/10 2381 days true 2.8 9%
Ann Furlong 10/10 2389 days true 2.78 9%
Trudy Ryan 8/10 2389 days true 2.65 8%
Jill Fischer 10/10 2395 days 2.77 9%
Kim 10/10 2395 days 2.77 9%
Francois Marchar 9/10 2405 days true 2.76 9%
Jan Zimmerman 10/10 2410 days true 2.75 9%
Elvin Teo 10/10 2423 days 2.73 9%
Rob 9/10 2471 days true 2.64 8%
Andreas Garbin 10/10 2473 days true 2.64 8%
Joanna 9/10 2491 days true 2.61 8%
Mellow 10/10 2515 days 2.57 8%
whalelover88 10/10 2668 days 2.31 7%
Jos Schieveen 8/10 2739 days true 2.08 7%
Goran Backlund 9/10 2745 days true 2.17 7%
Nathan Sait 10/10 2752 days true 2.16 7%
Toby Clark 10/10 2752 days true 2.16 7%
Maxine Gilman 10/10 2755 days true 2.16 7%
Harald 9/10 2769 days true 2.13 7%
Dominik Langenegger 9/10 2771 days true 2.13 7%
Rebecca Richardson 9/10 2771 days true 2.13 7%
Andrew Powell 9/10 2771 days true 2.13 7%
Peter Field 10/10 2771 days true 2.13 7%
Eric Lombaard 8/10 2772 days true 2.02 6%
Nicholas Prakenhammar 10/10 2773 days true 2.13 7%
Peter Wall 7/10 2773 days true 1.94 6%
Verne Heath 8/10 2774 days true 2.02 6%
John O'Donnell 10/10 2775 days true 2.12 7%
Paul Fairbrass 10/10 2782 days true 2.11 7%
Frank Krivauek 10/10 2783 days true 2.11 7%
Rocco Christian 7/10 2783 days true 1.92 6%
Kurt & Noemi Buhler 7/10 2784 days true 1.92 6%
Therese 7/10 2787 days true 1.91 6%
Katie K 9/10 2798 days true 2.08 7%
CMJ 10/10 2820 days 2.05 6%
Jacqueline 10/10 2851 days 1.99 6%
Marc & Pauline 9/10 2857 days true 1.98 6%
Kevin & Chris 9/10 2858 days true 1.98 6%
Robin & Sandra Dijke 9/10 2860 days true 1.98 6%
Laura McCusker 8/10 2867 days true 1.87 6%
Dexter 10/10 3065 days 1.63 5%
Jasmin Loeffler 10/10 3071 days true 1.62 5%
Natascha Rachel 10/10 3071 days true 1.62 5%
Res Kormann 10/10 3084 days true 1.59 5%
Sarah James 10/10 3094 days true 1.58 5%
Nick Taylor 10/10 3094 days true 1.58 5%
Nicola Young 10/10 3094 days true 1.58 5%
Stefan Elsenbruch 9/10 3099 days true 1.57 5%
Stefanie 7/10 3109 days true 1.41 4%
Koen Vanlede 10/10 3112 days true 1.55 5%
Van Vliet 8/10 3113 days true 1.47 5%
Vanessa Vogel 10/10 3116 days true 1.54 5%
Marcel Camsch 9/10 3118 days true 1.54 5%
Keely & Mark Haynes 10/10 3119 days true 1.53 5%
Svea Sauter 10/10 3119 days true 1.53 5%
henriket 10/10 3120 days true 1.53 5%
Amanda Wells 10/10 3120 days true 1.53 5%
K & J Overton 9/10 3120 days true 1.53 5%
Jerry & Floon 9/10 3124 days true 1.53 5%
Bartl 10/10 3124 days true 1.53 5%
travellingfamilyof6 10/10 3126 days 1.52 5%
WeddingMaven 10/10 3126 days 1.52 5%
Lieve Verdonck 8/10 3127 days true 1.44 5%
Victoria Purver 8/10 3129 days true 1.44 5%
Thelia Beament 9/10 3129 days true 1.52 5%
Edwards 9/10 3133 days true 1.51 5%
Mark Irwin 9/10 3137 days true 1.5 5%
Agnes McMillan 10/10 3138 days true 1.5 5%
Leslie 9/10 3138 days true 1.5 5%
Selina Mueller 10/10 3140 days true 1.5 5%
Jill Dean 10/10 3141 days true 1.5 5%
Chloe Finster 10/10 3141 days true 1.5 5%
Vanderhorst 9/10 3142 days true 1.49 5%
Judith K. 10/10 3144 days true 1.49 5%
Amanda Wallace 9/10 3144 days true 1.49 5%
Mark Aarts 10/10 3145 days true 1.49 5%
Forestal Youri 9/10 3146 days true 1.49 5%
Dave and Lin Mungham 10/10 3147 days true 1.49 5%
Jane Hancock 10/10 3149 days true 1.48 5%
Stephi 10/10 3154 days 1.47 5%
Amanda 10/10 3154 days 1.47 5%
Mick Doherty 9/10 3185 days 1.42 4%
hendrik king 7/10 3185 days 1.29 4%
Shoe 10/10 3216 days 1.37 4%
marcvergroesen 9/10 3430 days 1.0 3%
Jenny Leyland 9/10 3430 days 1.0 3%
MarcyMark 10/10 3460 days 0.95 3%
katrina Marshall 10/10 3477 days true 0.92 3%
Von 9/10 3491 days 0.9 3%
Judith 8/10 3497 days true 0.84 3%
Doris Resch 10/10 3497 days true 0.89 3%
Sheila Morgan 10/10 3500 days true 0.88 3%
Maria Newton 9/10 3501 days true 0.88 3%
Faller 10/10 3514 days true 0.86 3%
Wim Van Gastel 8/10 3517 days true 0.81 3%
Laura Walters 9/10 3518 days true 0.85 3%
Chance McGuire 10/10 3519 days 0.85 3%
cees juffermans 9/10 3532 days true 0.83 3%
Markus 10/10 3535 days true 0.82 3%
Grainne Ahern 10/10 3550 days 0.8 3%
sutuckey 10/10 3550 days 0.8 3%
Honeymooners 10/10 3550 days 0.8 3%
sophiep 9/10 3565 days true 0.77 2%
chuckchallenger 10/10 3581 days 0.74 2%
mdarras 9/10 3585 days true 0.74 2%
joramv 9/10 3585 days true 0.74 2%
Michelle Kraemer 10/10 3588 days true 0.73 2%
Kimberly Skyes 10/10 3588 days true 0.73 2%
Ruth Colmer 9/10 3591 days true 0.73 2%
maleta 8/10 3602 days true 0.67 2%
Simon_and_Jane_OZ 9/10 3795 days 0.38 1%
JoF 10/10 3817 days true 0.34 1%
Christian Kamm 10/10 3822 days true 0.33 1%
Michael Maddams 7/10 3823 days true 0.3 1%
Joanna Harrnon 10/10 3824 days true 0.33 1%
Sarah 8/10 3824 days true 0.31 1%
David 10/10 3825 days 0.33 1%
jjakkeren 9/10 3825 days true 0.33 1%
Alanna 10/10 3826 days true 0.32 1%
ElissaH 10/10 3827 days true 0.32 1%
Andrew Smith 9/10 3831 days true 0.32 1%
Jean 10/10 3841 days true 0.3 1%
CarinaB1 10/10 3846 days true 0.29 1%
Lindsey 9/10 3856 days 0.27 1%
Lisa 10/10 3861 days true 0.26 1%
Laura 8/10 3864 days true 0.25 1%
kiwibrit86 9/10 3866 days 0.26 1%
Visken 10/10 3868 days true 0.25 1%
Christina 10/10 3873 days true 0.24 1%
RachaelO 10/10 3875 days true 0.24 1%
Marianne 10/10 3875 days true 0.24 1%
Peppa 10/10 3875 days true 0.24 1%
Jackie 9/10 3889 days true 0.22 1%
Patrick 9/10 3889 days true 0.22 1%
Carla 8/10 3891 days true 0.2 1%
Keith 10/10 3897 days 0.2 1%
Saskia 9/10 3897 days true 0.2 1%
Patrick 10/10 3901 days true 0.2 1%
Charlie 9/10 3905 days true 0.19 1%
Ten 10/10 3905 days true 0.19 1%
Kevin Dangerfield 10/10 3914 days 0.17 1%
Graham 9/10 3929 days true 0.15 0%
David 10/10 3938 days true 0.13 0%
Eveline 10/10 3938 days true 0.13 0%
Mette 10/10 3945 days true 0.12 0%
Rowan 9/10 3970 days true 0.08 0%
Hanna 10/10 3970 days true 0.08 0%
Sally Walker 10/10 3976 days 0.07 0%
abby 10/10 3982 days true 0.06 0%
Paul 10/10 3992 days true 0.04 0%
Peter 10/10 4000 days true 0.03 0%
Anna 10/10 4022 days true 0.0 0%
Liz 9/10 4031 days true 0.0 0%
Laura 8/10 4031 days true 0.0 0%
Amy Shields 7/10 4035 days true 0.0 0%
Erin 9/10 4043 days true 0.0 0%
George Burgas 7/10 4049 days true 0.0 0%
Sharon Curly 7/10 4057 days true 0.0 0%
Peddy 8/10 4060 days 0.0 0%
Christine 9/10 4073 days true 0.0 0%
Charlie Bond 8/10 4106 days true 0.0 0%
SandyS 10/10 4160 days 0.0 0%
BexStar 10/10 4173 days 0.0 0%
Galen 9/10 4191 days true 0.0 0%
Monica Black 10/10 4191 days true 0.0 0%
Denise 10/10 4208 days true 0.0 0%
Ria 9/10 4212 days true 0.0 0%
Christian 7/10 4212 days true 0.0 0%
Wiebke 9/10 4216 days true 0.0 0%
Phil Connelly 9/10 4217 days true 0.0 0%
Amanda 9/10 4223 days true 0.0 0%
Erwin de Kleijn 9/10 4230 days true 0.0 0%
Nick 10/10 4239 days true 0.0 0%
John 9/10 4239 days true 0.0 0%
Sandra Gustafson 10/10 4267 days true 0.0 0%
Jo 10/10 4267 days true 0.0 0%
Helena 10/10 4268 days true 0.0 0%
Seldam 8/10 4273 days true 0.0 0%
Andrew Purdam 7/10 4281 days 0.0 0%
Gerber Liselotte 10/10 4299 days true 0.0 0%
Gabriela Herger 8/10 4307 days true 0.0 0%
Jane Coleman 8/10 4310 days true 0.0 0%
Wendy Williams 9/10 4317 days true 0.0 0%
Claire 8/10 4541 days true 0.0 0%
Will 9/10 4541 days true 0.0 0%
JanKovar 10/10 4543 days true 0.0 0%
Justin 10/10 4546 days true 0.0 0%
Beth 9/10 4552 days true 0.0 0%
Hanneke 9/10 4553 days true 0.0 0%
Cat 8/10 4555 days true 0.0 0%
MartinTrenker 9/10 4561 days true 0.0 0%
Janneke 10/10 4562 days true 0.0 0%
Renee 9/10 4565 days true 0.0 0%
Elke 8/10 4580 days true 0.0 0%
Malon 10/10 4581 days true 0.0 0%
Ralph 10/10 4590 days true 0.0 0%
Lucy 10/10 4590 days true 0.0 0%
Gordon 8/10 4602 days true 0.0 0%
Beate 9/10 4603 days true 0.0 0%
MartinJago 8/10 4614 days true 0.0 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

-3.98% 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 199 days.

The Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura experience has been adjusted for 199 days. Adjustments are according to the following table.

Days Adjustment
……
196 -3.92%
197 -3.94%
198 -3.96%
199 -3.98%
200 -4.00%
201 -4.02%
202 -4.04%
……

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.