To provide more personalized content recommendations, HBO Max is introducing a rating system that allows subscribers to provide direct feedback on the TV shows and movies they like or dislike.
This is not a new concept. In 2001, Netflix introduced a five-star rating system for its DVD-by-mail service to help its algorithm find other titles you might be interested in. In 2017, the streamer retired 5-star ratings and replaced them with thumbs up/thumbs down buttons. In 2022, Netflix added a “two thumbs up” option to indicate content you really like. (YouTube introduced a 5-star user rating system in 2005 and moved to “like”/”dislike” buttons in 2010.)
Currently, HBO Max uses a content rating approach similar to Netflix’s current system. Starting Wednesday, HBO Max began rolling out a new feedback system that features “love,” “like” and “not for me” buttons.
Warner Bros. Discovery said the new feature will be available on “select devices” on the web, connected TV and mobile. A feedback button appears on each HBO Max title’s content details page and player after a user finishes a movie or series.
According to WBD, when an HBO Max user marks a title as “Not For Me,” that title will be “de-prioritized” across the subscriber’s profile, and titles marked as “Love” will have a custom ” Because You Loved ” rail containing the suggested title. The company says this new feature will allow subscribers to proactively share feedback on titles, providing direct input to help form personalized recommendations across their profiles, and show them content tailored to their tastes.
The new HBO Max user rating system comes after WBD announced a $1 to $2 monthly price increase across all plans on Tuesday.
