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 Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

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.

Cymen Crick's avatar

Cymen Crick

Rankers Owner

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Valid Reviews

290 Valid Reviews

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves experience has a total of 291 reviews. There are 290 valid reviews that are included when calculating the ranking score and 1 invalid review 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 290 valid reviews:

Rating Count Percentage
10/10 36
12%
9/10 52
18%
8/10 81
28%
7/10 66
23%
6/10 22
8%
5/10 13
4%
4/10 8
3%
3/10 5
2%
2/10 4
1%
1/10 3
1%

75.62% Average

The raw data average (mean) for all the Waitomo Glowworm Caves valid reviews is 75.62% and is based on 290 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

263 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 290 valid reviews, the experience has 263 face-to-face reviews collected during interviews by our team.

Below is the distribution of ratings for the 263 face-to-face reviews:

Rating Count Percentage
10/10 29
11%
9/10 49
19%
8/10 76
29%
7/10 57
22%
6/10 21
8%
5/10 13
5%
4/10 7
3%
3/10 5
2%
2/10 4
2%
1/10 2
1%

75.36% Average

The raw data average (mean) for all the Waitomo Glowworm Caves face-to-face reviews is 75.36% and is based on 263 face-to-face reviews. This value is not used to calculate the ranking score and it only provided here for comparison purposes.

Weighted Average

75.55%

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
Somysolanki 7/10 201 days 100%
Anne 7/10 536 days 86%
ros fraser 4/10 2546 days 3%
wynden 1/10 2574 days 2%
Rado Hank 10/10 2661 days 4%
Lizzie Edmonds 8/10 2662 days 4%
Anis Quentin 7/10 2669 days 3%
Jeny Smolders 7/10 2673 days 3%
Oscar Petersen 8/10 2680 days 4%
Ani 9/10 2788 days 3%
Martin Murlik 8/10 2901 days 3%
Laura 9/10 2912 days 3%
Melanie Farrell 7/10 2920 days 3%
Andy 10/10 2927 days 3%
Julia Achatz 5/10 2941 days 2%
Auba Mateos 7/10 2947 days 3%
Charlotte 7/10 2947 days 3%
Isabel Zedelius 8/10 2950 days 3%
Dries 8/10 2990 days 3%
Clarissa Glaser 8/10 2991 days 3%
Alna 10/10 2996 days 3%
Holger Worner 9/10 2996 days 3%
Karlee Hormell 9/10 3005 days 3%
Alonso 9/10 3009 days 3%
Rose Guillaume 8/10 3012 days 3%
Caroline Coudray 8/10 3016 days 3%
Barbara 8/10 3016 days 3%
Leonie Brabers 7/10 3024 days 3%
Bina Johansson 10/10 3024 days 3%
Sam Staines 9/10 3028 days 3%
Erik 6/10 3031 days 2%
Nicole Signer 8/10 3038 days 3%
Sam Taylor 7/10 3042 days 3%
Vanuxem 8/10 3246 days 2%
Clara Bertomeu 10/10 3246 days 2%
Lukas Boller 9/10 3248 days 2%
Mette Elholm 7/10 3262 days 2%
Mathilde Arp 8/10 3262 days 2%
Chloe and Guillame 9/10 3266 days 2%
Andre 9/10 3268 days 2%
Doerte 10/10 3268 days 2%
Saskia Peek 9/10 3269 days 2%
Erika Tarant 8/10 3269 days 2%
Jennifer Nguyen 7/10 3270 days 2%
Julie Duvert 7/10 3270 days 2%
Dan Ramsl 4/10 3270 days 2%
Lucy Mulvin 7/10 3271 days 2%
Fine Kochling 9/10 3273 days 2%
Eberhard 9/10 3273 days 2%
Hannes 8/10 3274 days 2%
Calum Penn 9/10 3276 days 2%
Arthur Portolleau 6/10 3277 days 2%
Elisabet 10/10 3278 days 2%
Tommy Mannien 8/10 3279 days 2%
Solange Bourbeois 8/10 3282 days 2%
Talissa Missiato 10/10 3282 days 2%
Severin Knegsch 9/10 3283 days 2%
Pierre Jouffineau 10/10 3284 days 2%
Lewis Whittle 8/10 3286 days 2%
Ben and Pauline 8/10 3288 days 2%
Ann-Kathrin 7/10 3293 days 2%
Natasha Harbinson 10/10 3294 days 2%
Sebastian 2/10 3295 days 1%
Jaquein Bucholz 3/10 3295 days 1%
Chiara 7/10 3295 days 2%
Cariotta Kemper 3/10 3295 days 1%
Megan Lenox 7/10 3298 days 2%
Max Mustermann 8/10 3300 days 2%
Amy Stafford 8/10 3303 days 2%
Carl 7/10 3303 days 2%
Briony 7/10 3305 days 2%
Melanie Kronbichler 8/10 3306 days 2%
Andreas Schiefer 7/10 3307 days 2%
Veronique Kaplan 3/10 3309 days 1%
Robin Ings 6/10 3310 days 2%
Stula Vladimir 7/10 3311 days 2%
David Soukal 8/10 3311 days 2%
Olivia Aliprandi 7/10 3312 days 2%
Isabelle 2/10 3314 days 1%
Jonathan Gourmel 8/10 3314 days 2%
Mikkel Palleson 4/10 3317 days 1%
Franziska and Sabine 7/10 3318 days 2%
Chloe Guerillot 7/10 3318 days 2%
Faye Oliver 7/10 3320 days 2%
Iris Kerbler 9/10 3320 days 2%
Til Schaebitz 6/10 3321 days 2%
Elisabeth Grabner 9/10 3323 days 2%
Berith 10/10 3323 days 2%
Chris Simpson 6/10 3326 days 2%
Pekka and Jonna 9/10 3326 days 2%
Jonas Hoerning 8/10 3327 days 2%
Nils 10/10 3327 days 2%
Mark Rosema 8/10 3328 days 2%
Lisa Huber 10/10 3328 days 2%
Nicola Wiggan 9/10 3349 days 2%
Linda and Gunther 4/10 3350 days 1%
Julie 9/10 3351 days 2%
Maria Schaer 7/10 3355 days 2%
Mette and Jesper 5/10 3357 days 2%
Pierre and Alexandra 6/10 3363 days 2%
Julia Waenninger 8/10 3375 days 2%
Sarah Boettcher 9/10 3411 days 2%
Suzanne Vermeulen 6/10 3428 days 2%
Blandine Giusti 7/10 3631 days 1%
Bart Hanssen 6/10 3710 days 1%
Astrid Egesten 7/10 3761 days 1%
Jean Curry 9/10 3985 days 1%
Carla Oyarzun 1/10 3989 days 0%
Philippe Chiasson 9/10 3995 days 1%
Helma Druyken 4/10 4005 days 1%
Florian Guttler 7/10 4008 days 1%
Casandra Prunica 8/10 4009 days 1%
Lauren Hedley 7/10 4009 days 1%
Janina Zwerver 8/10 4009 days 1%
Marieke Feyteres 4/10 4013 days 0%
van Linda Werner 5/10 4013 days 1%
Philip Donachie 7/10 4023 days 1%
Luisa Bach 8/10 4023 days 1%
Kristina 7/10 4025 days 1%
Eugen Lehner 6/10 4026 days 1%
Manuel Bach 7/10 4026 days 1%
Matthias Freiling 2/10 4033 days 0%
Debora Grusler 6/10 4036 days 1%
Andreas Brodhaeker 8/10 4049 days 1%
Renee van der Syde 7/10 4050 days 1%
Martha Horst 8/10 4050 days 1%
Roland Beer 7/10 4054 days 1%
Johanna Bak 4/10 4054 days 0%
Lior Bakski 9/10 4064 days 1%
Bet 9/10 4065 days 1%
Memain 8/10 4338 days 0%
Konza 7/10 4339 days 0%
Steen Rausmussen 8/10 4370 days 0%
David Restell 10/10 4400 days 1%
Christina Rodewald 9/10 4405 days 1%
Hanneke P 7/10 4431 days 1%
Kohler 9/10 4451 days 1%
Alexandra van den Brack 6/10 4459 days 1%
Paul Lawrence 9/10 4460 days 1%
Abby Rushmer 7/10 4461 days 1%
Stephan Olivier 7/10 4466 days 1%
Stephan Olivier 7/10 4466 days 1%
Faassen 8/10 4470 days 1%
Julie Lamart 8/10 4471 days 1%
Adrian Weidell 5/10 4667 days 1%
Jonathan Tuthill 9/10 4722 days 1%
A Ormsby 10/10 4734 days 1%
Gillian Rowe 10/10 4747 days 1%
Ryan Pynappels 8/10 4748 days 1%
Peter Dellen 8/10 4749 days 1%
Jorg Steffens 8/10 4749 days 1%
Danielle & Jobbe 9/10 4751 days 1%
Christina 6/10 4752 days 1%
Jop Veldhuis 7/10 4752 days 1%
Paul Weidenfeld 8/10 4753 days 1%
Sophie Dorrepaal 7/10 4753 days 1%
Fannette Peyreplane 5/10 4754 days 1%
Norm Cooper 7/10 4758 days 1%
Gloria, Rose & An 8/10 4758 days 1%
A Sorg 10/10 4758 days 1%
Samplonius 5/10 4761 days 1%
Petra 10/10 4761 days 1%
Bethany Hamilton 8/10 4765 days 1%
suffolkhouse69 9/10 4766 days 1%
a a 8/10 4797 days 1%
Julia Balionis 7/10 4811 days 1%
Julia Hartman 3/10 4812 days 1%
Fabienne Indergand 7/10 4832 days 1%
Waldemar Schuler 9/10 4844 days 1%
pepette31 7/10 4919 days 1%
Craig Hathaway 9/10 5071 days 1%
Stephane Lebel 9/10 5076 days 1%
Rens Hemselmans 7/10 5089 days 1%
Isabell 10/10 5091 days 1%
Holly Cave 5/10 5091 days 1%
J Palmer 6/10 5095 days 1%
Liz & Jim 10/10 5097 days 1%
Edgar & Marilyn Berry 9/10 5099 days 1%
Simon Vickers 2/10 5102 days 0%
Leslie 8/10 5115 days 1%
Jean-Francois Guilbault 8/10 5116 days 1%
Selina Mueller 7/10 5117 days 1%
Tamlin Barton 3/10 5118 days 1%
Cara Dungay 8/10 5119 days 1%
Bottcher 10/10 5119 days 1%
Alexandra 10/10 5120 days 1%
Philipp Rau 7/10 5122 days 1%
Dan Aldridge 9/10 5124 days 1%
John Allen 8/10 5126 days 1%
Curtis Penner 8/10 5126 days 1%
Brandt 8/10 5128 days 1%
Nadia Husain 5/10 5131 days 1%
T J Andrews 6/10 5147 days 1%
Charli Skinner 7/10 5398 days 1%
Carl_Larsen 10/10 5407 days 1%
Susan & Richard 10/10 5468 days 1%
Rik 9/10 5469 days 1%
Jonathan Martin 7/10 5471 days 1%
Gunda G 9/10 5476 days 1%
Aaron 8/10 5478 days 1%
Will Jemma 6/10 5481 days 1%
Christen Hans 10/10 5482 days 1%
Monica and Danie. 7/10 5490 days 1%
Stephen 5/10 5492 days 1%
Susan 10/10 5492 days 1%
snodge 8/10 5496 days 1%
Bo Moenstead 9/10 5505 days 1%
Alain Deslandres 8/10 5509 days 1%
Jakob Jurgen 10/10 5510 days 1%
EA Anders 8/10 5513 days 1%
Helen and Hans Walser 1/10 5516 days 0%
kevinp 8/10 5539 days 1%
warrenp 9/10 5543 days 1%
braunweiler 9/10 5547 days 1%
pimn 9/10 5552 days 1%
asiacritics 7/10 5558 days 1%
Chris Mackamul 8/10 5565 days 1%
Debbie Rathbone 10/10 5565 days 1%
Lisette X 9/10 5566 days 1%
Martin 10/10 5568 days 1%
Thomas Willi 10/10 5568 days 1%
Elodie 7/10 5569 days 1%
richardh 7/10 5683 days 1%
trvlbug 8/10 5711 days 1%
glennandjen 10/10 5772 days 1%
BryonyS 9/10 5790 days 1%
Marion 9/10 5806 days 1%
Mikey 7/10 5807 days 1%
Richard Komzik 6/10 5808 days 1%
Michael Walsall 10/10 5812 days 1%
Anna 8/10 5826 days 1%
Abigail 7/10 5826 days 1%
lannie 7/10 5835 days 1%
SimonR 8/10 5836 days 1%
SonjaG 7/10 5836 days 1%
Chris 8/10 5842 days 1%
AurelieD 8/10 5849 days 1%
Yunker 10/10 5850 days 1%
Andrew 8/10 5852 days 1%
Erin 9/10 5852 days 1%
Christopher Gallaga 8/10 5858 days 1%
Amy 10/10 5864 days 1%
Shona 8/10 5864 days 1%
plumbaum 9/10 5866 days 1%
Sandra 10/10 5874 days 1%
Evangelista 8/10 5874 days 1%
Oliver 5/10 5876 days 1%
Kat 9/10 5906 days 1%
Lisa 8/10 5933 days 1%
siobhan 8/10 5935 days 1%
Alice 8/10 5935 days 1%
NORTZ 7/10 5963 days 1%
Stefan 8/10 5965 days 1%
Hugh Trenchard 9/10 5982 days 1%
Niamh 4/10 5988 days 1%
Jenny 9/10 6012 days 1%
Louise 8/10 6021 days 1%
Peddy 10/10 6031 days 1%
Katie Wise 8/10 6034 days 1%
Thomas Bachmann 8/10 6050 days 1%
Daniala 8/10 6069 days 1%
Tom Ben 9/10 6173 days 1%
Sarah Maudsley 8/10 6188 days 1%
Alan Bellerby 8/10 6188 days 1%
Tina Daly 5/10 6194 days 1%
John Woodrow 8/10 6203 days 1%
Ernst Seter 9/10 6203 days 1%
Jim Curley 7/10 6214 days 1%
Daniel 7/10 6215 days 1%
Marc Hertogs 7/10 6218 days 1%
Laura Sutton 5/10 6242 days 1%
Jeroen 5/10 6244 days 1%
Mum! 6/10 6244 days 1%
Gail 9/10 6248 days 1%
Heike Julia 6/10 6249 days 1%
Lanni 8/10 6249 days 1%
Amanda Finger 7/10 6250 days 1%
Desiree Muri 7/10 6250 days 1%
Jan Grzejik 8/10 6277 days 1%
Wouter Ewalts 8/10 6284 days 1%
Matilde 6/10 6292 days 1%
Kim 6/10 6489 days 1%
Gillian 8/10 6531 days 1%
Denise Nick 6/10 6541 days 1%
ranker_110 8/10 6560 days 1%
Jasper 7/10 6567 days 1%
Mary 8/10 6567 days 1%
Lucy 6/10 6567 days 1%
Lukas 8/10 6578 days 1%
Hanna 7/10 6580 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 Waitomo Glowworm Caves experience has plenty of reviews and does not meet the criteria for any adjustment.

Recent Reviews Adjustment

-3.86% Adjustment

There may be an adjustment if this experience hasn't received any reviews within the last 53 days. However the Waitomo Glowworm Caves 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 Waitomo Glowworm Caves experience has been adjusted for 186 days. Adjustments are according to the following table.

Days Adjustment
183 -3.80%
184 -3.82%
185 -3.84%
186 -3.86%
187 -3.88%
188 -3.90%
189 -3.92%

Balancing Adjustment

6.11% 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

78%

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.