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

92.15%

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 8/10 261 days 89.21 92%
Michael Holm 9/10 349 days true 96.84 100%
Stefan Zink 10/10 601 days true 52.4 54%
Fentrup 9/10 607 days true 51.28 53%
Katharina Koch 10/10 611 days true 50.54 52%
Aurelie and Ben Marie 9/10 613 days true 50.18 51%
Sebastian Braun 9/10 701 days true 35.52 36%
Joanne Woo 10/10 718 days 27.52 28%
Chris 6/10 749 days 23.97 24%
Olivier Reculeau 10/10 935 days true 10.87 11%
Susanne Breudel 10/10 940 days true 10.57 10%
Josh Legge 10/10 948 days true 10.11 10%
Daniel Weber 9/10 950 days true 10.0 10%
Virginia Fradin 10/10 954 days true 9.78 9%
Olivier Anciaux 9/10 957 days true 9.62 9%
Wendy van Boom 10/10 957 days true 9.62 9%
Bas Hoogteijling 10/10 960 days true 9.47 9%
Mira Huckfield 10/10 970 days true 8.97 9%
Maike Santelmann 10/10 982 days true 8.43 8%
Levin Stuers 10/10 987 days true 8.22 8%
magdalena gomez haedo 9/10 990 days 6.75 6%
Lucca Weisbender 10/10 992 days 6.68 6%
Anna Scholten 10/10 993 days true 7.98 8%
Nils Kissel 10/10 1003 days 6.34 6%
Madita and Lisann 10/10 1039 days true 6.6 6%
sanneke tangel 10/10 1045 days true 6.48 6%
Georgia Coleman 10/10 1045 days true 6.48 6%
Virgil Spruit 8/10 1049 days true 6.4 6%
Xue Rong Kok 7/10 1054 days 5.27 5%
Anthony Jacobs 10/10 1176 days 4.89 4%
Sofie Jebsen 10/10 1319 days true 5.63 5%
Tobias 10/10 1319 days true 5.63 5%
Annika Funk 10/10 1355 days true 5.57 5%
Dawn Mulligan 10/10 1371 days true 5.55 5%
Christophe Scieszka 10/10 1388 days 4.6 4%
Hubert 8/10 1428 days true 5.45 5%
Ondrej Stepanek 8/10 1664 days true 5.06 4%
Boneschova Jarka 10/10 1664 days true 5.06 4%
Heike Heller 10/10 1673 days true 5.05 4%
Andreas Mouteiro 9/10 1673 days true 5.05 4%
Josefin Lind 10/10 1674 days true 5.05 4%
Herman Holmgist 10/10 1674 days true 5.05 4%
Felicitas 9/10 1696 days true 5.01 4%
Antoine 8/10 1704 days true 5.0 4%
Mara K 10/10 1723 days 4.14 4%
Emilie Chanbon 10/10 1726 days true 4.96 4%
Alexis Redor 10/10 1726 days true 4.96 4%
Julia Amberger 8/10 1745 days true 4.93 4%
Annalina Drebald 8/10 1745 days true 4.93 4%
balesdent 9/10 1751 days true 4.92 4%
Alineet Gautier 10/10 1754 days true 4.92 4%
Annika Schmidt 10/10 2034 days true 4.46 4%
Patrick Stoeit 10/10 2034 days true 4.46 4%
Audrey Ripoche 9/10 2036 days true 4.45 4%
Rey Germain 9/10 2036 days true 4.45 4%
Christofer Tonn 10/10 2046 days true 4.44 4%
Ann Furlong 10/10 2054 days true 4.42 4%
Trudy Ryan 8/10 2054 days true 4.42 4%
Jill Fischer 10/10 2060 days 3.68 3%
Kim 10/10 2060 days 3.68 3%
Francois Marchar 9/10 2070 days true 4.4 4%
Jan Zimmerman 10/10 2075 days true 4.39 4%
Elvin Teo 10/10 2088 days 3.64 3%
Rob 9/10 2136 days true 4.29 4%
Andreas Garbin 10/10 2138 days true 4.29 4%
Joanna 9/10 2156 days true 4.26 4%
Mellow 10/10 2180 days 3.51 3%
whalelover88 10/10 2333 days 3.3 3%
Jos Schieveen 8/10 2404 days true 3.85 3%
Goran Backlund 9/10 2410 days true 3.84 3%
Nathan Sait 10/10 2417 days true 3.83 3%
Toby Clark 10/10 2417 days true 3.83 3%
Maxine Gilman 10/10 2420 days true 3.82 3%
Harald 9/10 2434 days true 3.8 3%
Dominik Langenegger 9/10 2436 days true 3.8 3%
Rebecca Richardson 9/10 2436 days true 3.8 3%
Andrew Powell 9/10 2436 days true 3.8 3%
Peter Field 10/10 2436 days true 3.8 3%
Eric Lombaard 8/10 2437 days true 3.79 3%
Nicholas Prakenhammar 10/10 2438 days true 3.79 3%
Peter Wall 7/10 2438 days true 3.79 3%
Verne Heath 8/10 2439 days true 3.79 3%
John O'Donnell 10/10 2440 days true 3.79 3%
Paul Fairbrass 10/10 2447 days true 3.78 3%
Frank Krivauek 10/10 2448 days true 3.78 3%
Rocco Christian 7/10 2448 days true 3.78 3%
Kurt & Noemi Buhler 7/10 2449 days true 3.77 3%
Therese 7/10 2452 days true 3.77 3%
Katie K 9/10 2463 days true 3.75 3%
CMJ 10/10 2485 days 3.1 2%
Jacqueline 10/10 2516 days 3.05 2%
Marc & Pauline 9/10 2522 days true 3.65 3%
Kevin & Chris 9/10 2523 days true 3.65 3%
Robin & Sandra Dijke 9/10 2525 days true 3.65 3%
Laura McCusker 8/10 2532 days true 3.64 3%
Dexter 10/10 2730 days 2.76 2%
Jasmin Loeffler 10/10 2736 days true 3.3 3%
Natascha Rachel 10/10 2736 days true 3.3 3%
Res Kormann 10/10 2749 days true 3.28 3%
Sarah James 10/10 2759 days true 3.26 3%
Nick Taylor 10/10 2759 days true 3.26 3%
Nicola Young 10/10 2759 days true 3.26 3%
Stefan Elsenbruch 9/10 2764 days true 3.26 3%
Stefanie 7/10 2774 days true 3.24 3%
Koen Vanlede 10/10 2777 days true 3.24 3%
Van Vliet 8/10 2778 days true 3.23 3%
Vanessa Vogel 10/10 2781 days true 3.23 3%
Marcel Camsch 9/10 2783 days true 3.23 3%
Keely & Mark Haynes 10/10 2784 days true 3.22 3%
Svea Sauter 10/10 2784 days true 3.22 3%
henriket 10/10 2785 days true 3.22 3%
Amanda Wells 10/10 2785 days true 3.22 3%
K & J Overton 9/10 2785 days true 3.22 3%
Jerry & Floon 9/10 2789 days true 3.22 3%
Bartl 10/10 2789 days true 3.22 3%
travellingfamilyof6 10/10 2791 days 2.68 2%
WeddingMaven 10/10 2791 days 2.68 2%
Lieve Verdonck 8/10 2792 days true 3.21 3%
Victoria Purver 8/10 2794 days true 3.21 3%
Thelia Beament 9/10 2794 days true 3.21 3%
Edwards 9/10 2798 days true 3.2 3%
Mark Irwin 9/10 2802 days true 3.19 3%
Agnes McMillan 10/10 2803 days true 3.19 3%
Leslie 9/10 2803 days true 3.19 3%
Selina Mueller 10/10 2805 days true 3.19 3%
Jill Dean 10/10 2806 days true 3.19 3%
Chloe Finster 10/10 2806 days true 3.19 3%
Vanderhorst 9/10 2807 days true 3.19 3%
Judith K. 10/10 2809 days true 3.18 3%
Amanda Wallace 9/10 2809 days true 3.18 3%
Mark Aarts 10/10 2810 days true 3.18 3%
Forestal Youri 9/10 2811 days true 3.18 3%
Dave and Lin Mungham 10/10 2812 days true 3.18 3%
Jane Hancock 10/10 2814 days true 3.17 3%
Stephi 10/10 2819 days 2.64 2%
Amanda 10/10 2819 days 2.64 2%
Mick Doherty 9/10 2850 days 2.6 2%
hendrik king 7/10 2850 days 2.6 2%
Shoe 10/10 2881 days 2.55 2%
marcvergroesen 9/10 3095 days 2.26 2%
Jenny Leyland 9/10 3095 days 2.26 2%
MarcyMark 10/10 3125 days 2.22 2%
katrina Marshall 10/10 3142 days true 2.64 2%
Von 9/10 3156 days 2.18 1%
Judith 8/10 3162 days true 2.6 2%
Doris Resch 10/10 3162 days true 2.6 2%
Sheila Morgan 10/10 3165 days true 2.6 2%
Maria Newton 9/10 3166 days true 2.6 2%
Faller 10/10 3179 days true 2.57 2%
Wim Van Gastel 8/10 3182 days true 2.57 2%
Laura Walters 9/10 3183 days true 2.57 2%
Chance McGuire 10/10 3184 days 2.14 1%
cees juffermans 9/10 3197 days true 2.54 2%
Markus 10/10 3200 days true 2.54 2%
Grainne Ahern 10/10 3215 days 2.1 1%
sutuckey 10/10 3215 days 2.1 1%
Honeymooners 10/10 3215 days 2.1 1%
sophiep 9/10 3230 days true 2.49 2%
chuckchallenger 10/10 3246 days 2.05 1%
mdarras 9/10 3250 days true 2.46 2%
joramv 9/10 3250 days true 2.46 2%
Michelle Kraemer 10/10 3253 days true 2.45 2%
Kimberly Skyes 10/10 3253 days true 2.45 2%
Ruth Colmer 9/10 3256 days true 2.45 2%
maleta 8/10 3267 days true 2.43 2%
Simon_and_Jane_OZ 9/10 3460 days 1.76 1%
JoF 10/10 3482 days true 2.08 1%
Christian Kamm 10/10 3487 days true 2.07 1%
Michael Maddams 7/10 3488 days true 2.07 1%
Joanna Harrnon 10/10 3489 days true 2.06 1%
Sarah 8/10 3489 days true 2.06 1%
David 10/10 3490 days 1.72 1%
jjakkeren 9/10 3490 days true 2.06 1%
Alanna 10/10 3491 days true 2.06 1%
ElissaH 10/10 3492 days true 2.06 1%
Andrew Smith 9/10 3496 days true 2.05 1%
Jean 10/10 3506 days true 2.04 1%
CarinaB1 10/10 3511 days true 2.03 1%
Lindsey 9/10 3521 days 1.68 1%
Lisa 10/10 3526 days true 2.0 1%
Laura 8/10 3529 days true 2.0 1%
kiwibrit86 9/10 3531 days 1.66 1%
Visken 10/10 3533 days true 1.99 1%
Christina 10/10 3538 days true 1.98 1%
RachaelO 10/10 3540 days true 1.98 1%
Marianne 10/10 3540 days true 1.98 1%
Peppa 10/10 3540 days true 1.98 1%
Jackie 9/10 3554 days true 1.96 1%
Patrick 9/10 3554 days true 1.96 1%
Carla 8/10 3556 days true 1.95 1%
Keith 10/10 3562 days 1.62 1%
Saskia 9/10 3562 days true 1.94 1%
Patrick 10/10 3566 days true 1.94 1%
Charlie 9/10 3570 days true 1.93 1%
Ten 10/10 3570 days true 1.93 1%
Kevin Dangerfield 10/10 3579 days 1.6 1%
Graham 9/10 3594 days true 1.89 1%
David 10/10 3603 days true 1.88 1%
Eveline 10/10 3603 days true 1.88 1%
Mette 10/10 3610 days true 1.87 1%
Rowan 9/10 3635 days true 1.82 1%
Hanna 10/10 3635 days true 1.82 1%
Sally Walker 10/10 3641 days 1.51 1%
abby 10/10 3647 days true 1.8 1%
Paul 10/10 3657 days true 1.79 1%
Peter 10/10 3665 days true 1.78 1%
Anna 10/10 3687 days true 1.74 1%
Liz 9/10 3696 days true 1.72 1%
Laura 8/10 3696 days true 1.72 1%
Amy Shields 7/10 3700 days true 1.72 1%
Erin 9/10 3708 days true 1.7 1%
George Burgas 7/10 3714 days true 1.69 1%
Sharon Curly 7/10 3722 days true 1.68 1%
Peddy 8/10 3725 days 1.4 1%
Christine 9/10 3738 days true 1.66 1%
Charlie Bond 8/10 3771 days true 1.6 1%
SandyS 10/10 3825 days 1.26 1%
BexStar 10/10 3838 days 1.24 0%
Galen 9/10 3856 days true 1.46 1%
Monica Black 10/10 3856 days true 1.46 1%
Denise 10/10 3873 days true 1.43 1%
Ria 9/10 3877 days true 1.43 1%
Christian 7/10 3877 days true 1.43 1%
Wiebke 9/10 3881 days true 1.42 1%
Phil Connelly 9/10 3882 days true 1.42 1%
Amanda 9/10 3888 days true 1.41 1%
Erwin de Kleijn 9/10 3895 days true 1.4 1%
Nick 10/10 3904 days true 1.38 1%
John 9/10 3904 days true 1.38 1%
Sandra Gustafson 10/10 3932 days true 1.34 1%
Jo 10/10 3932 days true 1.34 1%
Helena 10/10 3933 days true 1.33 1%
Seldam 8/10 3938 days true 1.33 1%
Andrew Purdam 7/10 3946 days 1.09 0%
Gerber Liselotte 10/10 3964 days true 1.28 1%
Gabriela Herger 8/10 3972 days true 1.27 1%
Jane Coleman 8/10 3975 days true 1.27 1%
Wendy Williams 9/10 3982 days true 1.25 1%
Claire 8/10 4206 days true 0.89 0%
Will 9/10 4206 days true 0.89 0%
JanKovar 10/10 4208 days true 0.88 0%
Justin 10/10 4211 days true 0.88 0%
Beth 9/10 4217 days true 0.87 0%
Hanneke 9/10 4218 days true 0.87 0%
Cat 8/10 4220 days true 0.86 0%
MartinTrenker 9/10 4226 days true 0.85 0%
Janneke 10/10 4227 days true 0.85 0%
Renee 9/10 4230 days true 0.85 0%
Elke 8/10 4245 days true 0.82 0%
Malon 10/10 4246 days true 0.82 0%
Ralph 10/10 4255 days true 0.81 0%
Lucy 10/10 4255 days true 0.81 0%
Gordon 8/10 4267 days true 0.79 0%
Beate 9/10 4268 days true 0.78 0%
MartinJago 8/10 4279 days true 0.77 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

-3.68% 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 184 days. Adjustments are according to the following table.

Days Adjustment
……
181 -3.62%
182 -3.64%
183 -3.66%
184 -3.68%
185 -3.70%
186 -3.72%
187 -3.74%
……

Final Ranking Score

88%

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.