Everyone,

In recent weeks a number of people have asked about the film’s IMDB.com user rating. The user rating is different than the IMDB.com Movie Meter, for it’s entirely generated by you, the user…well sort of.

Before I get into explaining the how’s and why’s of the IMDB User Rating let me first say this, I have no problem with the User Rating system, despite the way IMDB goes about calculating it, for they subject every film, independent or otherwise to the same standard. So while not entirely accurate the User Rating is a universal system within the IMDB site. That being said the User Rating that you see on most film pages is showing you a weighted average.

IMDB does not disclose how they come up with their weighted averages, they only say that they use it to combat “vote stuffing” where by a single individual or group could artificially inflate a film’s ranking. By using the weighted average IMDB says they showcase a film’s “true” average. While we can all agree to disagree on what is a “true” average, this is the system that is in place.

Currently, April Showers is showing 4.9 stars out of a possible 10, which isn’t great considering that our true mathematical average is actually a 7 out of 10. So why the discrepancy? According to IMDB we’ll never know. However, I’ve included a screen grab of a our current breakdown of votes for you to see that while we are currently rated 4.9 out of 10 the majority of the votes by viewers come in at five stars or higher, with 10 stars leading the way with 38 total votes. You’ll also notice that we currently have 18 votes of a one star rating and I only mention it because I want to show all sides of the equation.

If this “weighted average” upsets you or if you feel the film deserves a higher ranking, I thank you, but ask that you pause a moment before rushing to vote 10 out of 10.

First, if you’ve already voted, what ever that vote may be, please do not vote again for IMDB tracks where the votes come from (regardless of what computer you use) and duplicate votes will cancel each other out or hurt the average. It’s that vote-stuffing phenomenon IMDB is talking about. If you’ve voted already we thank you and we hope you enjoyed the film.

Secondly, I am not asking you to vote or vote a certain way, if you wish to please feel free and be fair, however don’t feel you have to now or right away.

Lastly, it is my understanding that you have to register for IMDB.com before you can vote. Registration is free and pretty easy, so be aware before you go to vote that you may have to take two or three minutes to sign up first.

I hope this helps clear things up, I’m sorry if I was unable to fully explain how IMDB comes to its user rating but at least we’re all in the same boat on that conundrum now. I thank you for the question and thank you all for not only voting but for caring about the film and being passionate about the rating. That’s all for now, until next time take care and stay tuned…

Keywords: IMDB Rating Explained…Sort Of, IMDB, Movie Rating, IMDB Rating, Online Voting, 

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