Netflix Will Let You Give Your Latest Obsession Two Thumbs Up

pcmag.com:

Netflix is doubling down on its decision to move away from star ratings (never forget) in favor of a simple Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down rating system for the content available on its platform.

That's right: The company says users can now give their favorite Netflix Originals, movies, and TV shows Two Thumbs Up instead of restricting them to a single digital...digit.

"Our current Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down buttons are a good way for you to tell us how you feel about a series or film, and in return, you get a profile that’s better personalized to your taste," Netflix says. "However, we’ve learned over time that these feelings can go beyond a simple like or dislike. Providing an additional way to tell us when you’re really into something means a profile with recommendations that better reflect what you enjoy." (Emphasis theirs.)

Netflix says the ability to rate something Two Thumbs Up is available now on iOS, Android, smart TVs, and the web for people looking to improve their algorithmic recommendations.

"A Thumbs Up still lets us know what you liked," Netflix says, "so we use this response to make similar recommendations. But a Two Thumbs Up tells us what you loved and helps us get even more specific with your recommendations. For example, if you loved Bridgerton, you might see even more shows or films starring the cast, or from Shondaland."

It turns out Netflix users' preferences can't be captured with a binary Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. If only there were another kind of rating system that allowed people to say they hated, disliked, were ambivalent towards, liked, or loved a particular piece of content. Hmm.

Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.

This newsletter may contain