What's your take on the iTunes rating system?

[Carlvb]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering how you guys use the rating system. I currently rate my music as following:

1 star = poor
2 starts = average
3 stars = good
4 stars = very good
5 stars = excellent

However, I'm not sure if this is the best way to rate: I sometimes feel that 3 stars should be 'average' (a 2 star rating doesn't feel like an average song, more like a bad song) and have the rating system equals this:

1 star = awful
2 starts = bad
3 stars = average
4 stars = good
5 stars = very good

But then again, isn't it better to make as much subdivisions within the songs you like (from average to excellent) then to have two subdivisions for songs you don't like (poor and awful)?

 

[Annie_M]

First of all, welcome to iMore! It's good to have you here. In regards to your question, I think I'm on the same page as you, especially for 3 stars being average. I also understand your point about having 2 categories being bad/awful. That seems a little overkill. Perhaps a word like "mediocre" would be better for 2-star ratings. That's my take on it!

 

[Carlvb]

Thank you Annie.

Exactly. On the one hand, I want to use most of the subdivisions for songs I like, but on the flipside:
2 stars seem pretty low to use as 'average' rating.

'Mediocre' sounds more like 'average' to me, though.

 

[Tartarus]

5* = awesome
4* = I like it
3* = I can’t decide whether I like it or not
2* = I think I don’t like this song. Let’s give it some time to grow on me.
1* = I may have to delete this song soon, but just give it another try when I’m in a different mood/mindset.

As you can see, those star ratings is whatever you decide to make it.
For me, it’s as above, but I’m not regularly rating my songs.
I gave all my hearted songs a 4 star rating and the ones I love the most have 5 stars. 3 stars and below I barely use.

 

[Spencerdl]

5* = awesome
4* = I like it
3* = I can’t decide whether I like it or not
2* = I think I don’t like this song. Let’s give it some time to grow on me.
1* = I may have to delete this song soon, but just give it another try when I’m in a different mood/mindset.

As you can see, those star ratings is whatever you decide to make it.
For me, it’s as above, but I’m not regularly rating my songs.
I gave all my hearted songs a 4 star rating and the ones I love the most have 5 stars. 3 stars and below I barely use.

This is close to the way I rate my music as well when I rate ...LOL.
Welcome to iMore. Which type of Apple product(s) are you currently using OP?

 

[Tartarus]

This is close to the way I rate my music as well when I rate ...LOL.
Welcome to iMore. Which type of Apple product(s) are you currently using OP?

I also use the 5 and 4 star ratings to make Smart Playlists.