Why does a 4.2-star product show a 4.5-star graphic? See screenshots – inconsistent display?
I noticed something odd with how Amazon displays star ratings on product listings. Traditionally, only products with a 4.3+ rating would show a 4.5-star graphic. But now, some listings with just 4.2 are showing as 4.5 stars.
I’ve attached two screenshots showing the difference:
Screenshot 1: This listing has a 4.2 rating and displays 4.5 stars
Screenshot 2: This listing also has a 4.2 rating, but it shows only 4 stars
Both have thousands of reviews. Why is there a discrepancy?
Did Amazon change the threshold for the half-star display recently? Or are they now rounding differently (e.g., maybe based on the full decimal instead of just one decimal place)?
Curious if anyone else has noticed this or if there’s an official explanation.
13 replies
Seller_rI7BZIczK8iAC
I needed to look VERY well to see what you mean. You are talking about the last empty star or half star? Lol, yes this has to be some glitch. Don't worry, I am sure, that the other sock will loose his half star soon.....
Seller_XY5hA5qZJPFYn
Good catch.
With the level of programming we've come to expect from Amazon, it wouldn't surprise me if they have a rounddown formula on the value and a roundup formula for the visual star. So a 4.25 could round to 4.2 value display, but up (to 4.3) for the star calculation to display. That would annoy me for sure though if it was a competitor of mine.
Seller_Ha6JyVvDK6Ybs
So customers have reason to return on inaccurate website?
Manny_Amazon
Hello @Seller_QsFgUBymegadO,
Thanks for posting to the Forums. I've gone ahead and contacted my partner team and requested their assistance with reviewing this issue. I'll follow up as soon as I hear back from the team.
Regards,
- Manny
Seller_iBBg2u3RlFGBY
4.26 star is closer to 4.5 than it is to 4 though?
Seller_E8mL3eW2WFX39
Logic is probably like this
Switch( Rating) {
Case (Rating 0-1.2449999) Return 1 Break;
Case (Rating 1.245 - 1.744999) return 1.5 Break;
Case(Rating 1.745 - 2.244999) Return 2 Break;
Case(Rating 2.45-2.744999) return 2.5 Break;
Case(Rating 2.745- 3.244999) Return 3 Break;
Case (Rating 3.245-3.74499) Return 3.5 Break;
Case(Rating 3.745-4.244999) Return 4 Break;
Case(rating 4.245-4.744999) Return 4.5 Break;
Else Return 5 Break;
}
It would also explain how a 4.2 Can be both 4 star and 4.5 Star , One was 4.24999 or less and one was 4.25 or more which means they both show 4.2 because the physical logic of the rating number doesn't round, it drops all but one decimal point. Meaning 4.20000 and 4.29999 are the same to it but one made it slightly higher to qualify in the case statement to display 4.5 stars instead because the star system uses 0.5 increments after the first star.
The reason the rating doesn't use more decimal points is it's ugly. The reason they don't round before hand is it's slow and if you did a 4.5 would just be a 4.5. It wouldn't be a 4.2 that averages to a 4.5. This way they give accurate information and they don't have to use round logic to slow the process.
Manny_Amazon
Hello @Seller_QsFgUBymegadO,
I've heard back from my partner team. The reason why some 4.2 stars have the half-star and some have full stars graphic only has to do with the second decimal of the rating value. We round the icon display up or down based on the first two digits – so if the rating value is < 4.25 then we show 4 full stars only, but if the rating value >= 4.25 then we show 4 and a half stars.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
- Manny
