The online streaming service is rolling out an update that will see its current star-based rating system replaced by a new service called Thumbs.
Thumbs, as the name suggests, allows Netflix users to rate the programs they have watched with a simple thumbs-up/thumbs-down system, making it easier to quickly see people’s reactions.
Thumbs, which is similar to YouTube’s own ratings system, started testing last year, and proved a major success.
Giving a show or movie a thumbs-up will tell Netflix you want to see more programs like it, with a thumbs-down saying that you aren’t interested, and Netflix should stop suggesting it to you.
The change will start rolling out soon to all users on its site, mobile apps, gaming consoles, set-top boxes and smart TVs.
“Using thumbs helps us learn even more about your unique tastes so we can do a better job suggesting stories we think you’ll love,” Netflix said.
Netflix adds that the new Thumbs service was influenced by a growing move away from star ratings, which often lead to average scores that don’t give a true indication of how popular something is.
But Thumbs isn’t all Netflix has in store today, as the company has also launched a new way to help suggest new programs it thinks you’ll like.
The service is also introducing new “percentage match scores” which looks at you past viewing habits to work out how much you may be into different titles it has.
For example, if you like drama series, and head to the hub for The Crown, Netflix will show an icon saying it is a high match.
The news is the latest update Netflix has made to its platform in a bid to win user’s favour.
Back in December, the platform revealed it would finally be launching a way to download programs from the site to watch offline later.
When accessing the landing page of a program or movie, just click the download button on the details page and you can watch it later without an internet connection.
However not all of Netflix’s library is available just yet, so be warned if you’re looking to download lots of viewing for a long journey.
