Volume-adjusted Audience Review Rating

What is this metric?

The Volume-adjusted Audience Review Rating metric combines a brand's average audience review rating (1 to 5 scale) with a brand's volume of customer reviews to gauge the level of confidence and reliability in a brand's rating.

How is this metric calculated?

BlueOcean computes a score for a brand based on the weighted averages of a brand's count of audience reviews and the average rating (1 to 5 scale) of those reviews. This measurement allows users to gauge the level of confidence and reliability in a brand's ratings.

Illustrative Analogy: "The Yelp Scenario" - if a customer compares two restaurants on Yelp and finds that Restaurant A has a 5-star rating but only 10 reviews, and Restaurant B has a 4-star rating with 2,000 reviews, then -

Given the larger sample size, the customer is likely to have a greater degree of confidence in Restaurant B's ratings over Restaurant A's ratings.
The potential volatility in Restaurant B's scores is lower than in Restaurant A's; e.g., a single 'bad' review shifts Restaurant B's scores less than a bad review would for Restaurant A

Data Source(s): BlueOcean-trained Proprietary Data Model considering estimated data from:

Audience Reviews, including those from sites like G2, TrustRadius, Gartner Peer Insights, and Trustpilot.

Data Source Update Frequency: Weekly

Can Ratios Impact this Measurement? No

BlueOcean Applicable Framework(s): BlueOcean framework │BlueOcean Basic framework

How is this information valuable to my brand?

The Volume-adjusted Audience Review Rating metric is a valuable resource for:

Resilience: This metric can be an indication of resiliency; those brands with large volumes of high-quality ratings are less impacted by a negative review when compared to a brand with fewer and/or lower-value reviews.
Quality and Perception: The average rating indicates the perceived quality of a brand's product, service, or content. A high average suggests positive reception, while a low average indicates dissatisfaction.
Market Traction and Visibility: The volume of reviews helps gauge how much traction or visibility the brand has in the market. A high number of reviews often implies that the brand or its offerings are widely used or discussed.
Competitive Positioning: By comparing the average rating and volume of reviews against competitors, brands can understand their standing in the market. For example, a high average rating and a high review volume indicate strong market leadership.
Feedback Analysis: A high average rating but low volume suggests that while the current users are satisfied, there might be a need to increase outreach or awareness to grow the customer base. Conversely, a high volume but low average rating indicates widespread usage but potential issues with the product or service that need addressing.
Informed Marketing Strategy: Understanding where a brand lacks (in rating or volume) can guide marketing efforts. For instance, marketing campaigns could focus on broader awareness if volume is low. If ratings are low, the focus might shift to improving product quality or addressing specific concerns.
Risk and Opportunity Assessment: High volume but decreasing average rating can be an early sign of emerging issues, allowing for timely interventions. Conversely, suppose a competitor has a declining rating. In that case, it presents an opportunity for a brand to step in and appeal to disenchanted customers.
Consumer Trust and Advocacy: A high average rating, especially with a high review volume, fosters consumer trust and can be leveraged in marketing campaigns to showcase consumer satisfaction and advocacy.

Additional considerations where this metric can play a role:

Refine Product or Service Offerings: Reviews, especially detailed ones, often provide specific feedback. This can guide product development or service enhancements based on what the audience values or finds lacking.
Resource Allocation: If a specific product or service garners a significantly higher rating and volume than others, it might warrant more marketing resources to further capitalize on its success.
Influencer and Partnership Opportunities: Certain reviews might come from influential figures or entities in the industry. Recognizing and engaging with these reviewers can open doors for collaborations or partnerships.
Crisis Management: A sudden drop in average rating, especially with a spike in review volume, can indicate a potential crisis or widespread issue, necessitating immediate attention.
ROI Analysis: Cross-referencing the average rating and review volume with marketing spend can help assess the return on investment of various marketing initiatives.