Hey all!
I’d like to share some of my feedback on the switch to a thumbs-up/down/heart rating system. Apologies in advance if this is redundant or if changes are already in the works!
If this change rolls out as-is, this would be the only media logging site I know of that deviates from the typical X/10 user rating system (using XX/100 on top level media pages). Personally, I like Letterboxd’s star system the most. It feels subtly on-theme, user friendly, and fairly readable at a glance. Though I can understand wanting to be distinct when it comes to rating! It’s definitely an important part of overall brand identity ().
Regardless of how it’s visualized, a key issue for me is that I rely on a third-party app (shoutout to Konsensus!) and the Plex/Trakt integration to keep my watch status and reviews synced across Plex, Trakt, and Letterboxd. But now, I’m seeing my imported ratings rounded into a /
/
with no way to view the original numerical value.
I worry this simplification will reduce the depth of insights users can gain from long-term media logging. I know what my own 3/10 means versus a 6/10, for example, so I can personally find value in seeing that level of detail from a journaling POV. There’s also something satisfying (and fun!) about seeing your ratings plotted on a slick infographic.
Additionally, I think some nuance is lost when reading user reviews with these simplified ratings. While I understand the argument that communicating overall sentiment is what matters most—given different interpretations of numerical scores—there’s a big gulf between a 6/10 and a 1/10 (which both become a as I currently understand it). I wonder if this flattening would result in users feeling the need for additional clarification in reviews and comments and some general confusion.
Since the team has insights I don’t as an end-user, I’d love to understand:
- What elements weren’t working with the old rating system?
- How does this change affect overall rating % at the title level, when every review maps to just three possible values?
- Is there a solution that’s both simple and glanceable while still mapping 1:1 to adjacent platforms? Perhaps utilizing progressive disclosure, revealing more info depending on whether you’re on the detail view or the tile view?
I’d love to hear from the team and if there are other users who feel similarly. I’m also happy to help brainstorm solutions! I’m a UX designer and have used Trakt for a long time. It’s been fun to see this platform and utility that I really appreciate evolve over the years!
Sorry for the essay…thanks very much for your time!
Andy