Why Is It Showing an Average Rating of 3.2 and 10 Reviews When I’ve Only Selected to Show Five-Star Reviews?

Short Answer: The average rating and total number of reviews you see are not directly connected to the filtered reviews you have chosen to display. Even if you select to show only five-star reviews, the displayed average rating and total review count could be based on all reviews, not just the filtered ones. To eliminate this inconsistency, consider using a different slider that does not display the overall review rating.

Full Explanation

When you choose to showcase only five-star reviews on your WordPress site, it is important to understand that the overall average rating and the total number of reviews shown are calculated from all available reviews, not just the filtered subset. This means that the average rating of 3.2 and the total of 10 reviews represent the entire pool of reviews, regardless of your display settings.

In other words, the filter you apply to display only five-star reviews does not affect the average rating or the total count of reviews shown. These two elements are separate and updated based on all reviews collected, which can create a mismatch on your page where it looks like you’re showing only perfect reviews, but the average rating reflects all feedback.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. You select to display only five-star reviews on your site.
2. The review widget still calculates the average rating using all existing reviews, including those below five stars.
3. The total number of reviews, such as 10 in this example, reflects all reviews submitted, not just five-star ones.
4. This results in an average rating like 3.2 being shown alongside your filtered five-star reviews.
5. To fix this issue, you can switch to a different slider that does not include the overall average rating in its display.
6. This adjustment ensures that there is no conflicting information visible to your site visitors.

Real Examples

Imagine you have 10 reviews collected, but only 3 of those are five-star reviews. When you filter your display to only show five-star reviews, only those 3 appear on the page. However, the average rating shown still calculates all 10 reviews, perhaps averaging 3.2 stars. This creates a mismatch between what is displayed and the summary information.

By switching to a slider that does not display the overall average rating or total review count, your visitors will only see the selected five-star reviews without confusion from the aggregate rating.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming the average rating automatically updates to reflect filtered reviews.
• Displaying the total number of reviews while showing only a subset, causing confusion.
• Not realizing that the review widget shows summary data separate from filtered content.
• Failing to change the slider or widget settings to hide the average rating, which would remove conflicting numbers.

FAQs

Q: Can I display only five-star reviews without showing the average rating?
A: Yes, by selecting a different slider or widget that does not include the overall review rating, you can remove the average rating from the display.

Q: Why does the total number of reviews still show even when filtering?
A: The total count represents all submitted reviews, not just those displayed in the filtered view. This is why it remains the same.

Key Takeaways

• The average rating and total reviews are separate from the filtered reviews you choose to show.
• Filtering to show only five-star reviews does not update the average rating or total review count automatically.
• To avoid displaying conflicting information, use a slider that does not display the review rating summary.
• Understanding this separation helps maintain a clear and consistent review presentation on your WordPress site.