In what seems to be the "Facebook-ing of everything", Netflix announced yesterday that it will replace star-based user reviews in its content library with binary thumbs up and thumbs down (comparable to likes and dislikes) ratings over the coming weeks.
Previous star ratings given by users will be used to personalize their Netflix profiles, but the ability to rate a TV series or movie by awarding stars is set to disappear altogether, according to Variety.
Netflix VP of Product Todd Yellin told journalists on Thursday during a press briefing at the company’s headquarters in Los Gatos, Calif., that the company had tested the new thumbs up and down ratings with hundred of thousands of members in 2016. "We are addicted to the methodology of A/B testing," Yellin said. The result was that thumbs got 200% more ratings than the traditional star-rating feature.
Expect the changes to rollout in the next month or so.