A review average changes according to both the existing review count and the ratings of new reviews. A large existing sample moves less with each new review. Use the calculation for planning and interpretation, never as a reason to buy or fabricate reviews.
01
Calculate a simple weighted average
For an ordinary arithmetic rating average, multiply the current average by the current number of reviews, add the total stars from new reviews, and divide by the combined number of reviews. This is an estimate when the displayed average has already been rounded.
For example, 100 reviews with a displayed average of 4.0 represent approximately 400 stars. Ten new genuine five-star reviews add 50 stars. The estimated new average is 450 divided by 110, or about 4.09. It does not jump to 4.5.
02
Keep the assumptions visible
Do not combine review averages from two platforms without accounting for their review counts and different rating systems. An average is also not a measure of whether a complaint is serious or accurate.
- Current average: 4.0, possibly rounded by the platform.
- Current count: 100 reviews in the same rating system.
- New sample: 10 reviews, assumed five stars only for this example.
- Estimated combined average: approximately 4.09.
- Actual display: subject to the platform's inclusion and rounding rules.
03
Improve the experience behind the number
Invite customers to give honest feedback through a neutral process. Future ratings are unknown, so use several scenarios rather than promising a target score by a fixed date. Track recurring concerns alongside the arithmetic.
A business with a high average can still have a serious unresolved privacy complaint. Read the substance of feedback instead of treating a favorable number as evidence that no action is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can this formula predict the platform's exact displayed score?
No. A rounded starting average and platform-specific inclusion or display rules can make the actual result differ from a simple estimate.
How many five-star reviews should we buy to reach a target?
Do not buy or fabricate reviews. Use the calculation to understand how genuine feedback affects the average and improve the service that earns it.
Continue with your next step
Related guides on this topic
You do not have to figure out the next step alone.
Share the URLs and explain your concern. We will review the context and explain which options are worth assessing.
Request a confidential reviewOr call (307) 429-2531Educational information, not legal advice. Outcomes depend on the facts and decisions made by third parties.