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

93.33%

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 9/10 623 days true 48.36 100%
Stefan Zink 10/10 875 days true 15.2 31%
Fentrup 9/10 881 days true 14.71 30%
Katharina Koch 10/10 885 days true 14.39 29%
Aurelie and Ben Marie 9/10 887 days true 14.23 29%
Sebastian Braun 9/10 975 days true 8.74 18%
Joanne Woo 10/10 992 days 6.68 13%
Chris 6/10 1023 days 5.82 11%
Olivier Reculeau 10/10 1209 days true 5.81 11%
Susanne Breudel 10/10 1214 days true 5.8 11%
Josh Legge 10/10 1222 days true 5.79 11%
Daniel Weber 9/10 1224 days true 5.79 11%
Virginia Fradin 10/10 1228 days true 5.78 11%
Olivier Anciaux 9/10 1231 days true 5.78 11%
Wendy van Boom 10/10 1231 days true 5.78 11%
Bas Hoogteijling 10/10 1234 days true 5.77 11%
Mira Huckfield 10/10 1244 days true 5.76 11%
Maike Santelmann 10/10 1256 days true 5.74 11%
Levin Stuers 10/10 1261 days true 5.73 11%
magdalena gomez haedo 9/10 1264 days 4.77 9%
Lucca Weisbender 10/10 1266 days 4.77 9%
Anna Scholten 10/10 1267 days true 5.72 11%
Nils Kissel 10/10 1277 days 4.75 9%
Madita and Lisann 10/10 1313 days true 5.64 11%
sanneke tangel 10/10 1319 days true 5.63 11%
Georgia Coleman 10/10 1319 days true 5.63 11%
Virgil Spruit 8/10 1323 days true 5.63 11%
Xue Rong Kok 7/10 1328 days 4.68 9%
Anthony Jacobs 10/10 1450 days 4.51 9%
Sofie Jebsen 10/10 1593 days true 5.18 10%
Tobias 10/10 1593 days true 5.18 10%
Annika Funk 10/10 1629 days true 5.12 10%
Dawn Mulligan 10/10 1645 days true 5.1 10%
Christophe Scieszka 10/10 1662 days 4.22 8%
Hubert 8/10 1702 days true 5.0 10%
Ondrej Stepanek 8/10 1938 days true 4.61 9%
Boneschova Jarka 10/10 1938 days true 4.61 9%
Heike Heller 10/10 1947 days true 4.6 9%
Andreas Mouteiro 9/10 1947 days true 4.6 9%
Josefin Lind 10/10 1948 days true 4.6 9%
Herman Holmgist 10/10 1948 days true 4.6 9%
Felicitas 9/10 1970 days true 4.56 9%
Antoine 8/10 1978 days true 4.55 9%
Mara K 10/10 1997 days 3.76 7%
Emilie Chanbon 10/10 2000 days true 4.51 9%
Alexis Redor 10/10 2000 days true 4.51 9%
Julia Amberger 8/10 2019 days true 4.48 9%
Annalina Drebald 8/10 2019 days true 4.48 9%
balesdent 9/10 2025 days true 4.47 9%
Alineet Gautier 10/10 2028 days true 4.47 9%
Annika Schmidt 10/10 2308 days true 4.01 8%
Patrick Stoeit 10/10 2308 days true 4.01 8%
Audrey Ripoche 9/10 2310 days true 4.0 8%
Rey Germain 9/10 2310 days true 4.0 8%
Christofer Tonn 10/10 2320 days true 3.99 8%
Ann Furlong 10/10 2328 days true 3.97 8%
Trudy Ryan 8/10 2328 days true 3.97 8%
Jill Fischer 10/10 2334 days 3.3 6%
Kim 10/10 2334 days 3.3 6%
Francois Marchar 9/10 2344 days true 3.95 8%
Jan Zimmerman 10/10 2349 days true 3.94 8%
Elvin Teo 10/10 2362 days 3.26 6%
Rob 9/10 2410 days true 3.84 7%
Andreas Garbin 10/10 2412 days true 3.84 7%
Joanna 9/10 2430 days true 3.81 7%
Mellow 10/10 2454 days 3.14 6%
whalelover88 10/10 2607 days 2.93 5%
Jos Schieveen 8/10 2678 days true 3.4 6%
Goran Backlund 9/10 2684 days true 3.39 6%
Nathan Sait 10/10 2691 days true 3.38 6%
Toby Clark 10/10 2691 days true 3.38 6%
Maxine Gilman 10/10 2694 days true 3.37 6%
Harald 9/10 2708 days true 3.35 6%
Dominik Langenegger 9/10 2710 days true 3.35 6%
Rebecca Richardson 9/10 2710 days true 3.35 6%
Andrew Powell 9/10 2710 days true 3.35 6%
Peter Field 10/10 2710 days true 3.35 6%
Eric Lombaard 8/10 2711 days true 3.34 6%
Nicholas Prakenhammar 10/10 2712 days true 3.34 6%
Peter Wall 7/10 2712 days true 3.34 6%
Verne Heath 8/10 2713 days true 3.34 6%
John O'Donnell 10/10 2714 days true 3.34 6%
Paul Fairbrass 10/10 2721 days true 3.33 6%
Frank Krivauek 10/10 2722 days true 3.33 6%
Rocco Christian 7/10 2722 days true 3.33 6%
Kurt & Noemi Buhler 7/10 2723 days true 3.32 6%
Therese 7/10 2726 days true 3.32 6%
Katie K 9/10 2737 days true 3.3 6%
CMJ 10/10 2759 days 2.72 5%
Jacqueline 10/10 2790 days 2.68 5%
Marc & Pauline 9/10 2796 days true 3.2 6%
Kevin & Chris 9/10 2797 days true 3.2 6%
Robin & Sandra Dijke 9/10 2799 days true 3.2 6%
Laura McCusker 8/10 2806 days true 3.19 6%
Dexter 10/10 3004 days 2.38 4%
Jasmin Loeffler 10/10 3010 days true 2.85 5%
Natascha Rachel 10/10 3010 days true 2.85 5%
Res Kormann 10/10 3023 days true 2.83 5%
Sarah James 10/10 3033 days true 2.81 5%
Nick Taylor 10/10 3033 days true 2.81 5%
Nicola Young 10/10 3033 days true 2.81 5%
Stefan Elsenbruch 9/10 3038 days true 2.81 5%
Stefanie 7/10 3048 days true 2.79 5%
Koen Vanlede 10/10 3051 days true 2.78 5%
Van Vliet 8/10 3052 days true 2.78 5%
Vanessa Vogel 10/10 3055 days true 2.78 5%
Marcel Camsch 9/10 3057 days true 2.77 5%
Keely & Mark Haynes 10/10 3058 days true 2.77 5%
Svea Sauter 10/10 3058 days true 2.77 5%
henriket 10/10 3059 days true 2.77 5%
Amanda Wells 10/10 3059 days true 2.77 5%
K & J Overton 9/10 3059 days true 2.77 5%
Jerry & Floon 9/10 3063 days true 2.76 5%
Bartl 10/10 3063 days true 2.76 5%
travellingfamilyof6 10/10 3065 days 2.3 4%
WeddingMaven 10/10 3065 days 2.3 4%
Lieve Verdonck 8/10 3066 days true 2.76 5%
Victoria Purver 8/10 3068 days true 2.76 5%
Thelia Beament 9/10 3068 days true 2.76 5%
Edwards 9/10 3072 days true 2.75 5%
Mark Irwin 9/10 3076 days true 2.74 5%
Agnes McMillan 10/10 3077 days true 2.74 5%
Leslie 9/10 3077 days true 2.74 5%
Selina Mueller 10/10 3079 days true 2.74 5%
Jill Dean 10/10 3080 days true 2.74 5%
Chloe Finster 10/10 3080 days true 2.74 5%
Vanderhorst 9/10 3081 days true 2.74 5%
Judith K. 10/10 3083 days true 2.73 5%
Amanda Wallace 9/10 3083 days true 2.73 5%
Mark Aarts 10/10 3084 days true 2.73 5%
Forestal Youri 9/10 3085 days true 2.73 5%
Dave and Lin Mungham 10/10 3086 days true 2.73 5%
Jane Hancock 10/10 3088 days true 2.72 5%
Stephi 10/10 3093 days 2.26 4%
Amanda 10/10 3093 days 2.26 4%
Mick Doherty 9/10 3124 days 2.22 4%
hendrik king 7/10 3124 days 2.22 4%
Shoe 10/10 3155 days 2.18 4%
marcvergroesen 9/10 3369 days 1.88 3%
Jenny Leyland 9/10 3369 days 1.88 3%
MarcyMark 10/10 3399 days 1.84 3%
katrina Marshall 10/10 3416 days true 2.18 4%
Von 9/10 3430 days 1.8 3%
Judith 8/10 3436 days true 2.15 4%
Doris Resch 10/10 3436 days true 2.15 4%
Sheila Morgan 10/10 3439 days true 2.15 4%
Maria Newton 9/10 3440 days true 2.15 4%
Faller 10/10 3453 days true 2.12 4%
Wim Van Gastel 8/10 3456 days true 2.12 4%
Laura Walters 9/10 3457 days true 2.12 4%
Chance McGuire 10/10 3458 days 1.76 3%
cees juffermans 9/10 3471 days true 2.09 4%
Markus 10/10 3474 days true 2.09 4%
Grainne Ahern 10/10 3489 days 1.72 3%
sutuckey 10/10 3489 days 1.72 3%
Honeymooners 10/10 3489 days 1.72 3%
sophiep 9/10 3504 days true 2.04 4%
chuckchallenger 10/10 3520 days 1.68 3%
mdarras 9/10 3524 days true 2.01 4%
joramv 9/10 3524 days true 2.01 4%
Michelle Kraemer 10/10 3527 days true 2.0 4%
Kimberly Skyes 10/10 3527 days true 2.0 4%
Ruth Colmer 9/10 3530 days true 2.0 3%
maleta 8/10 3541 days true 1.98 3%
Simon_and_Jane_OZ 9/10 3734 days 1.38 2%
JoF 10/10 3756 days true 1.63 3%
Christian Kamm 10/10 3761 days true 1.62 3%
Michael Maddams 7/10 3762 days true 1.62 3%
Joanna Harrnon 10/10 3763 days true 1.61 3%
Sarah 8/10 3763 days true 1.61 3%
David 10/10 3764 days 1.34 2%
jjakkeren 9/10 3764 days true 1.61 3%
Alanna 10/10 3765 days true 1.61 3%
ElissaH 10/10 3766 days true 1.61 3%
Andrew Smith 9/10 3770 days true 1.6 3%
Jean 10/10 3780 days true 1.59 3%
CarinaB1 10/10 3785 days true 1.58 3%
Lindsey 9/10 3795 days 1.3 2%
Lisa 10/10 3800 days true 1.55 3%
Laura 8/10 3803 days true 1.55 3%
kiwibrit86 9/10 3805 days 1.29 2%
Visken 10/10 3807 days true 1.54 3%
Christina 10/10 3812 days true 1.53 3%
RachaelO 10/10 3814 days true 1.53 3%
Marianne 10/10 3814 days true 1.53 3%
Peppa 10/10 3814 days true 1.53 3%
Jackie 9/10 3828 days true 1.51 2%
Patrick 9/10 3828 days true 1.51 2%
Carla 8/10 3830 days true 1.5 2%
Keith 10/10 3836 days 1.25 2%
Saskia 9/10 3836 days true 1.49 2%
Patrick 10/10 3840 days true 1.49 2%
Charlie 9/10 3844 days true 1.48 2%
Ten 10/10 3844 days true 1.48 2%
Kevin Dangerfield 10/10 3853 days 1.22 2%
Graham 9/10 3868 days true 1.44 2%
David 10/10 3877 days true 1.43 2%
Eveline 10/10 3877 days true 1.43 2%
Mette 10/10 3884 days true 1.42 2%
Rowan 9/10 3909 days true 1.37 2%
Hanna 10/10 3909 days true 1.37 2%
Sally Walker 10/10 3915 days 1.14 2%
abby 10/10 3921 days true 1.35 2%
Paul 10/10 3931 days true 1.34 2%
Peter 10/10 3939 days true 1.32 2%
Anna 10/10 3961 days true 1.29 2%
Liz 9/10 3970 days true 1.27 2%
Laura 8/10 3970 days true 1.27 2%
Amy Shields 7/10 3974 days true 1.27 2%
Erin 9/10 3982 days true 1.25 2%
George Burgas 7/10 3988 days true 1.24 2%
Sharon Curly 7/10 3996 days true 1.23 2%
Peddy 8/10 3999 days 1.02 1%
Christine 9/10 4012 days true 1.2 2%
Charlie Bond 8/10 4045 days true 1.15 2%
SandyS 10/10 4099 days 0.88 1%
BexStar 10/10 4112 days 0.87 1%
Galen 9/10 4130 days true 1.01 1%
Monica Black 10/10 4130 days true 1.01 1%
Denise 10/10 4147 days true 0.98 1%
Ria 9/10 4151 days true 0.98 1%
Christian 7/10 4151 days true 0.98 1%
Wiebke 9/10 4155 days true 0.97 1%
Phil Connelly 9/10 4156 days true 0.97 1%
Amanda 9/10 4162 days true 0.96 1%
Erwin de Kleijn 9/10 4169 days true 0.95 1%
Nick 10/10 4178 days true 0.93 1%
John 9/10 4178 days true 0.93 1%
Sandra Gustafson 10/10 4206 days true 0.89 1%
Jo 10/10 4206 days true 0.89 1%
Helena 10/10 4207 days true 0.88 1%
Seldam 8/10 4212 days true 0.88 1%
Andrew Purdam 7/10 4220 days 0.72 1%
Gerber Liselotte 10/10 4238 days true 0.83 1%
Gabriela Herger 8/10 4246 days true 0.82 1%
Jane Coleman 8/10 4249 days true 0.82 1%
Wendy Williams 9/10 4256 days true 0.8 1%
Claire 8/10 4480 days true 0.44 0%
Will 9/10 4480 days true 0.44 0%
JanKovar 10/10 4482 days true 0.43 0%
Justin 10/10 4485 days true 0.43 0%
Beth 9/10 4491 days true 0.42 0%
Hanneke 9/10 4492 days true 0.42 0%
Cat 8/10 4494 days true 0.41 0%
MartinTrenker 9/10 4500 days true 0.4 0%
Janneke 10/10 4501 days true 0.4 0%
Renee 9/10 4504 days true 0.4 0%
Elke 8/10 4519 days true 0.37 0%
Malon 10/10 4520 days true 0.37 0%
Ralph 10/10 4529 days true 0.36 0%
Lucy 10/10 4529 days true 0.36 0%
Gordon 8/10 4541 days true 0.34 0%
Beate 9/10 4542 days true 0.33 0%
MartinJago 8/10 4553 days true 0.32 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

-7.28% 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 364 days. Adjustments are according to the following table.

Days Adjustment
……
361 -7.22%
362 -7.24%
363 -7.26%
364 -7.28%
365 -7.30%
366 -7.32%
367 -7.34%
……

Final Ranking Score

86%

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.