Why Rate Reviews?
In writing a review, one is putting information into the open on a product(etc.). People read these reviews to gain information something they otherwise would have known nothing about, and will make decisions based on the review’s recommendations.
The whole idea of rating a review is to bring that review into the light. How are people going to know which review, out of hundreds, to read on a particular product?
Why I Rate
A review should be written in a way that describes the product, gives valid points about it(good or bad), and backs that up with personal experiences and opinions. I rate because I want others to get the best of information from the reviews on this website.
Best Rated, First Read
The first entries in a list of reviews is always the highly recommended. This is not because they were written last, it’s because they were written best. People gave this recommendation on the review because they agreed with what the writer said on the product and felt it was a good representation.
I rate highly recommended for many reasons.
I agree with the opinion, and the writer gave valid reasons why they liked the product
I disagree with the opinion, but the writer gave valid reasons why they didn’t like the product(that I can appreciate)
Review was written in easy-to-read format
Good, Some Flaws
I rate recommended when I feel the writer’s opinion was justified through facts, but the formatting was hard on the eyes. I also look for spelling and grammatical errors. It is hard for other people to fully know what you’re talking about if they are having to decipher what some of your mistakes could mean.
Many Flaws
When rating somewhat recommended, I like to think that I am still recommending the writer’s review with less enthusiasm. I rate this way if I see some facts on the product and base opinion. Many will notice that I rate a lot of short, general reviews as somewhat recommended. This is because I felt the writer could have described the product in greater detail, and shared a more personal opinion of the product other than’It was good.’
Stop! Don’t Read This!
A rating of not recommended is a red flag from me. It means that I felt the product rating was unfair and not justified, or that it just wasn’t up to snuff in the writing department. The review might have too many spelling and grammatical mistakes, or it was written as one big chunky paragraph. I also rate not recommended if I find the writer has plagerised the work.
You Hate Me, I Hate You
The topic of revenge rating takes me back to the pettiness of grade school. She hated me so I hated her, and so on. I made the mistake of revenge rating as a new member, and I made it only once. I was very sorry for doing it, and this is how I developed my’reasons for how I recommend’ list.
In conclusion, rating reviews is not to gain popularity, to shred egos or boost your own, or to be done in hope that someone will reciprocate on your reviews. The whole reason for the website is to write reviews for other consumers; and in rating them, we help those consumers find the information they need.