Netflix new "Match System"... I hate it already

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Paul1977

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# 211684 6-Apr-2017 21:22

A simple thumbs up or down system is terrible, and their algorithms for matching are giving high matches for heaps of things I know I hate, and mediocre or poor matches for heaps of things I like.

I want to be able to look at a title and see what others have thought of it, an average rating out of 5 did this. Now I'm getting crap recommended with a 98% match that I know yesterday were rated 1 star and that I have read are terrible.

With this new system their algorithms dont know the difference between something you absolutely loved and something you thought was just OK - they are both just "thumbs up".

Awful system.

EDIT: and if the match is low or there is not enough data to calculate, it doesn't show a percentage. So how can you tell why something has no percentage? If it is because of a low match you would not want to watch, but if it is because of lack of data you might give it a try. But you can't tell!

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benokobi

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# 1757830 6-Apr-2017 22:24

One person supports this post

They should use the thumbs up/thumbs down thing with a list of shows when you first join to just give them a brief idea of what you like. Then after that, the 5 star gives a more granular approach.

I'm more likely to watch something if its 4 stars than if its a 68% chance of being a thumbs up.

staticnz

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# 1759233 7-Apr-2017 18:37

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wouldn't you rate them on scale like:

- thumbs down: didn't like it

- nothing: it was OK

- thumbs up: liked/loved it

Gives you an effective 3 star rating and over time should get decent recommendations?

rugrat

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# 1759234 7-Apr-2017 18:46

if 8 people thumbs up it, 3 people don't rate, and 7 people thumbs down, then it will probaby show thumbs up and though it's only liked by around half the people.

Where with stars it would show around the 3 stars out of 5.

I agree with OP, not as good as the star system.

tdgeek

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# 1759250 7-Apr-2017 20:08

I thought thumbs were for the user only? As compared to an overall rating. Given the OP's post. I wont be touching it for now.

corksta

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# 1759309 8-Apr-2017 03:29

I want to be able to look at a title and see what others have thought of it, an average rating out of 5 did this.

I think we probably all thought this is what the previous star rating system meant, but I've read a couple articles now just recently that said the previous system was nothing to do with what others thought of it, it was about how likely you were to watch something. So a show with a higher number of stars meant Netflix felt it was something you would be interested in watching.

FineWine

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# 1759381 8-Apr-2017 10:15

Hate new system. Go back to Star system. Then use star system as it should be used; 1 star dislike, 5 stars Ab Fab.

Mind you light box has no rating system.
Also you notice Netflix and Lightbox do not indicate whether a show is in a foriegn language and if it is engish subtitled

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PaulBags

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# 1759407 8-Apr-2017 10:29

Just ignore it and read the blurb?

FineWine

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# 1759471 8-Apr-2017 14:15

Had an on-line chat with Netflix. Quoted some of the comments from this forum topic to them. 

Their answer:
Netflix Gary
I also miss the star rating system, it was changed because we did receive some feedback about making it more simple, but that's precisely why it is good that you are here giving your opinion, we are a feedback-driven company.
Netflix Gary
I will make sure I pass your comments right away so my teams can be aware of what our customers think

I also gave feed back concerning the lack of language/subtitle information:

You
Also you notice Netflix do not indicate whether a show is in a foriegn language and if it is engish subtitled or what language the subtitles are in.
Netflix Gary
Oh, you can see that information directly from a title while it is playing, there's a button that allows you to check which ones are available and which ones are not, you can also filter content by language if you hover the mouse over browse, and select Audio and Subtitles, you can Click Here to see an example, would you like it to be shown somewhere else?
You
yes but how about when you are just browsing all the shows in your desktop browser, or on your iDevice where are the indications
Netflix Gary
Ah, it wouldn't appear while you are browsing, unless you are browsing with the option I mentioned above that lets you search by language, but I totally get your point, so we can add this feedback too, in a future our service may be improved in a way you an enjoy it more
You
it needs to be directly on the front page of the show where the: Starring, Director, Genre information is, listed as Language & Subtitles
Netflix Gary
Ah, on the details section, yeah, that would be a good option, I am adding this one through the feedback, since I think it would be easier to search for a title instead of playing the title to check the language availability, right?
You
exactly, yes in the details section
You
Give this feedback to whatever committee :) would be great thx
Netflix Gary
Yup, here in my country the languages may vary a lot depending on what I am watching, so it would be very useful, haha.

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Paul1977

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# 1760020 10-Apr-2017 09:49

staticnz:

wouldn't you rate them on scale like:

- thumbs down: didn't like it

- nothing: it was OK

- thumbs up: liked/loved it

Gives you an effective 3 star rating and over time should get decent recommendations?

But is that how it works (re not rating meaning it is OK), if so it isn't obvious to me?

Paul1977

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# 1760024 10-Apr-2017 09:55

corksta:

I want to be able to look at a title and see what others have thought of it, an average rating out of 5 did this.

I think we probably all thought this is what the previous star rating system meant, but I've read a couple articles now just recently that said the previous system was nothing to do with what others thought of it, it was about how likely you were to watch something. So a show with a higher number of stars meant Netflix felt it was something you would be interested in watching.

I don't think that's the case. For example the Amy Schumer Leather Special showed 1 star before they changed the system, and it is now showing a 98% match.

The articles I've read indicated that people rated the stars based more on how objectively good they thought the show was, as opposed to how much they subjectively enjoyed it. And this is why they wanted to change it.

MikeAqua

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# 1760026 10-Apr-2017 10:00

What's the match based on? The links between programmes seem tenuous at best.

Netflix thought because I watched House of Cards I might like Gilmore Girls.

Whisky-Tango-Foxtrot?

Mike

muppet

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# 1760044 10-Apr-2017 10:28

I never used the old system and I won't use the new system.

I'll decide what I want to watch, thanks.