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

93.05%

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 9/10 437 days 100%
Lisa 10/10 1136 days 36%
Michael Holm 9/10 2653 days 4%
Stefan Zink 10/10 2905 days 3%
Fentrup 9/10 2911 days 3%
Katharina Koch 10/10 2915 days 3%
Aurelie and Ben Marie 9/10 2917 days 3%
Sebastian Braun 9/10 3005 days 3%
Joanne Woo 10/10 3022 days 3%
Chris 6/10 3053 days 3%
Olivier Reculeau 10/10 3239 days 3%
Susanne Breudel 10/10 3244 days 3%
Josh Legge 10/10 3252 days 2%
Daniel Weber 9/10 3254 days 2%
Virginia Fradin 10/10 3258 days 2%
Olivier Anciaux 9/10 3261 days 2%
Wendy van Boom 10/10 3261 days 2%
Bas Hoogteijling 10/10 3264 days 2%
Mira Huckfield 10/10 3274 days 2%
Maike Santelmann 10/10 3286 days 2%
Levin Stuers 10/10 3291 days 2%
magdalena gomez haedo 9/10 3294 days 2%
Lucca Weisbender 10/10 3296 days 2%
Anna Scholten 10/10 3297 days 2%
Nils Kissel 10/10 3307 days 2%
Madita and Lisann 10/10 3343 days 2%
sanneke tangel 10/10 3349 days 2%
Georgia Coleman 10/10 3349 days 2%
Virgil Spruit 8/10 3353 days 2%
Xue Rong Kok 7/10 3358 days 2%
Anthony Jacobs 10/10 3480 days 2%
Sofie Jebsen 10/10 3623 days 2%
Tobias 10/10 3623 days 2%
Annika Funk 10/10 3659 days 2%
Dawn Mulligan 10/10 3675 days 2%
Christophe Scieszka 10/10 3692 days 2%
Hubert 8/10 3732 days 1%
Ondrej Stepanek 8/10 3968 days 1%
Boneschova Jarka 10/10 3968 days 1%
Heike Heller 10/10 3977 days 1%
Andreas Mouteiro 9/10 3977 days 1%
Josefin Lind 10/10 3978 days 1%
Herman Holmgist 10/10 3978 days 1%
Felicitas 9/10 4000 days 1%
Antoine 8/10 4008 days 1%
Mara K 10/10 4027 days 1%
Emilie Chanbon 10/10 4030 days 1%
Alexis Redor 10/10 4030 days 1%
Julia Amberger 8/10 4049 days 1%
Annalina Drebald 8/10 4049 days 1%
balesdent 9/10 4055 days 1%
Alineet Gautier 10/10 4058 days 1%
Annika Schmidt 10/10 4338 days 0%
Patrick Stoeit 10/10 4338 days 0%
Audrey Ripoche 9/10 4340 days 0%
Rey Germain 9/10 4340 days 0%
Christofer Tonn 10/10 4350 days 0%
Ann Furlong 10/10 4358 days 0%
Trudy Ryan 8/10 4358 days 0%
Jill Fischer 10/10 4364 days 0%
Kim 10/10 4364 days 0%
Francois Marchar 9/10 4374 days 0%
Jan Zimmerman 10/10 4379 days 0%
Elvin Teo 10/10 4392 days 1%
Rob 9/10 4440 days 1%
Andreas Garbin 10/10 4442 days 1%
Joanna 9/10 4460 days 1%
Mellow 10/10 4484 days 1%
whalelover88 10/10 4637 days 1%
Jos Schieveen 8/10 4708 days 1%
Goran Backlund 9/10 4714 days 1%
Nathan Sait 10/10 4721 days 1%
Toby Clark 10/10 4721 days 1%
Maxine Gilman 10/10 4724 days 1%
Harald 9/10 4738 days 1%
Dominik Langenegger 9/10 4740 days 1%
Rebecca Richardson 9/10 4740 days 1%
Andrew Powell 9/10 4740 days 1%
Peter Field 10/10 4740 days 1%
Eric Lombaard 8/10 4741 days 1%
Nicholas Prakenhammar 10/10 4742 days 1%
Peter Wall 7/10 4742 days 1%
Verne Heath 8/10 4743 days 1%
John O'Donnell 10/10 4744 days 1%
Paul Fairbrass 10/10 4751 days 1%
Frank Krivauek 10/10 4752 days 1%
Rocco Christian 7/10 4752 days 1%
Kurt & Noemi Buhler 7/10 4753 days 1%
Therese 7/10 4756 days 1%
Katie K 9/10 4767 days 1%
CMJ 10/10 4789 days 1%
Jacqueline 10/10 4820 days 1%
Marc & Pauline 9/10 4826 days 1%
Kevin & Chris 9/10 4827 days 1%
Robin & Sandra Dijke 9/10 4829 days 1%
Laura McCusker 8/10 4836 days 1%
Dexter 10/10 5034 days 1%
Jasmin Loeffler 10/10 5040 days 1%
Natascha Rachel 10/10 5040 days 1%
Res Kormann 10/10 5053 days 1%
Sarah James 10/10 5063 days 1%
Nick Taylor 10/10 5063 days 1%
Nicola Young 10/10 5063 days 1%
Stefan Elsenbruch 9/10 5068 days 1%
Stefanie 7/10 5078 days 1%
Koen Vanlede 10/10 5081 days 1%
Van Vliet 8/10 5082 days 1%
Vanessa Vogel 10/10 5085 days 1%
Marcel Camsch 9/10 5087 days 1%
Keely & Mark Haynes 10/10 5088 days 1%
Svea Sauter 10/10 5088 days 1%
henriket 10/10 5089 days 1%
Amanda Wells 10/10 5089 days 1%
K & J Overton 9/10 5089 days 1%
Jerry & Floon 9/10 5093 days 1%
Bartl 10/10 5093 days 1%
travellingfamilyof6 10/10 5095 days 1%
WeddingMaven 10/10 5095 days 1%
Lieve Verdonck 8/10 5096 days 1%
Victoria Purver 8/10 5098 days 1%
Thelia Beament 9/10 5098 days 1%
Edwards 9/10 5102 days 1%
Mark Irwin 9/10 5106 days 1%
Agnes McMillan 10/10 5107 days 1%
Leslie 9/10 5107 days 1%
Selina Mueller 10/10 5109 days 1%
Jill Dean 10/10 5110 days 1%
Chloe Finster 10/10 5110 days 1%
Vanderhorst 9/10 5111 days 1%
Judith K. 10/10 5113 days 1%
Amanda Wallace 9/10 5113 days 1%
Mark Aarts 10/10 5114 days 1%
Forestal Youri 9/10 5115 days 1%
Dave and Lin Mungham 10/10 5116 days 1%
Jane Hancock 10/10 5118 days 1%
Stephi 10/10 5123 days 1%
Amanda 10/10 5123 days 1%
Mick Doherty 9/10 5154 days 1%
hendrik king 7/10 5154 days 1%
Shoe 10/10 5185 days 1%
marcvergroesen 9/10 5399 days 1%
Jenny Leyland 9/10 5399 days 1%
MarcyMark 10/10 5429 days 1%
katrina Marshall 10/10 5446 days 1%
Von 9/10 5460 days 1%
Judith 8/10 5466 days 1%
Doris Resch 10/10 5466 days 1%
Sheila Morgan 10/10 5469 days 1%
Maria Newton 9/10 5470 days 1%
Faller 10/10 5483 days 1%
Wim Van Gastel 8/10 5486 days 1%
Laura Walters 9/10 5487 days 1%
Chance McGuire 10/10 5488 days 1%
cees juffermans 9/10 5501 days 1%
Markus 10/10 5504 days 1%
Grainne Ahern 10/10 5519 days 1%
sutuckey 10/10 5519 days 1%
Honeymooners 10/10 5519 days 1%
sophiep 9/10 5534 days 1%
chuckchallenger 10/10 5550 days 1%
mdarras 9/10 5554 days 1%
joramv 9/10 5554 days 1%
Michelle Kraemer 10/10 5557 days 1%
Kimberly Skyes 10/10 5557 days 1%
Ruth Colmer 9/10 5560 days 1%
maleta 8/10 5571 days 1%
Simon_and_Jane_OZ 9/10 5764 days 1%
JoF 10/10 5786 days 1%
Christian Kamm 10/10 5791 days 1%
Michael Maddams 7/10 5792 days 1%
Joanna Harrnon 10/10 5793 days 1%
Sarah 8/10 5793 days 1%
David 10/10 5794 days 1%
jjakkeren 9/10 5794 days 1%
Alanna 10/10 5795 days 1%
ElissaH 10/10 5796 days 1%
Andrew Smith 9/10 5800 days 1%
Jean 10/10 5810 days 1%
CarinaB1 10/10 5815 days 1%
Lindsey 9/10 5825 days 1%
Lisa 10/10 5830 days 1%
Laura 8/10 5833 days 1%
kiwibrit86 9/10 5835 days 1%
Visken 10/10 5837 days 1%
Christina 10/10 5842 days 1%
RachaelO 10/10 5844 days 1%
Marianne 10/10 5844 days 1%
Peppa 10/10 5844 days 1%
Jackie 9/10 5858 days 1%
Patrick 9/10 5858 days 1%
Carla 8/10 5860 days 1%
Keith 10/10 5865 days 1%
Saskia 9/10 5866 days 1%
Patrick 10/10 5870 days 1%
Charlie 9/10 5874 days 1%
Ten 10/10 5874 days 1%
Kevin Dangerfield 10/10 5883 days 1%
Graham 9/10 5898 days 1%
David 10/10 5907 days 1%
Eveline 10/10 5907 days 1%
Mette 10/10 5914 days 1%
Rowan 9/10 5939 days 1%
Hanna 10/10 5939 days 1%
Sally Walker 10/10 5945 days 1%
abby 10/10 5950 days 1%
Paul 10/10 5961 days 1%
Peter 10/10 5969 days 1%
Anna 10/10 5991 days 1%
Liz 9/10 6000 days 1%
Laura 8/10 6000 days 1%
Amy Shields 7/10 6004 days 1%
Erin 9/10 6012 days 1%
George Burgas 7/10 6018 days 1%
Sharon Curly 7/10 6026 days 1%
Peddy 8/10 6029 days 1%
Christine 9/10 6042 days 1%
Charlie Bond 8/10 6075 days 1%
SandyS 10/10 6129 days 1%
BexStar 10/10 6142 days 1%
Galen 9/10 6160 days 1%
Monica Black 10/10 6160 days 1%
Denise 10/10 6177 days 1%
Ria 9/10 6181 days 1%
Christian 7/10 6181 days 1%
Wiebke 9/10 6185 days 1%
Phil Connelly 9/10 6186 days 1%
Amanda 9/10 6192 days 1%
Erwin de Kleijn 9/10 6199 days 1%
Nick 10/10 6208 days 1%
John 9/10 6208 days 1%
Sandra Gustafson 10/10 6236 days 1%
Jo 10/10 6236 days 1%
Helena 10/10 6237 days 1%
Seldam 8/10 6242 days 1%
Andrew Purdam 7/10 6250 days 1%
Gerber Liselotte 10/10 6268 days 1%
Gabriela Herger 8/10 6276 days 1%
Jane Coleman 8/10 6279 days 1%
Wendy Williams 9/10 6286 days 1%
Claire 8/10 6510 days 1%
Will 9/10 6510 days 1%
JanKovar 10/10 6512 days 1%
Justin 10/10 6515 days 1%
Beth 9/10 6521 days 1%
Hanneke 9/10 6522 days 1%
Cat 8/10 6524 days 1%
MartinTrenker 9/10 6530 days 1%
Janneke 10/10 6531 days 1%
Renee 9/10 6534 days 1%
Elke 8/10 6549 days 1%
Malon 10/10 6550 days 1%
Ralph 10/10 6559 days 1%
Lucy 10/10 6559 days 1%
Gordon 8/10 6571 days 1%
Beate 9/10 6572 days 1%
MartinJago 8/10 6583 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

-4.15% Adjustment

There may be an adjustment if this experience hasn't received any reviews within the last 51 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 -4.09%
198 -4.11%
199 -4.13%
200 -4.15%
201 -4.18%
202 -4.20%
203 -4.22%

Balancing Adjustment

1.16% 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.