Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. News

Netflix will soon remove all user reviews from its website

By

Netflix has announced that it will be removing user reviews of movies and TV shows from its site. The feature, which was only available on the desktop website, will be removed in stages. Starting July 30, users will no longer be able to add new reviews of shows or movies. By the middle of August, users will no longer be able to read previously written reviews either.

A Netflix spokesperson told CNET that the site has already notified users who have recently made use of the review system that the changes are coming. Company representatives have said that because the system was only available as a desktop feature, it had seen declining use as the services various apps have gained users.

Recommended Videos

The company also said that the written reviews played no role in how Netflix’s algorithms recommended new movies and TV shows to its userbase.

Related

This is not the first time that Netflix has made changes to its user rating system. Last year, Netflix replaced its traditional five-star rating system with a simple thumbs up or thumbs down system to make it easier for users to quickly give their opinions regarding a show or movie. In an email to PCMag, Netflix said that the star system was confusing for some users because it left them uncertain as to how they should rate any particular title.

That being said, the thumbs up or down system has not been without its critics. Some users have complained that the new system is too simplistic and makes it difficult to give or receive an accurate opinion of a movie or TV show. Regardless, when it comes to the thumbs up or down system, Netflix has previously said that it is here to stay.

Regardless of whether you read the written reviews, use a star system, or thumbs up or down ratings, there is a lot of content to sift through on Netflix. It can be difficult to determine what you should spend your limited time on. Luckily, we’ve written a handy guide to help you find the best movies and TV shows that Netflix has to offer.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Eric Brackett
Eric Brackett
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Like the hit Netflix true crime series The Program? Then watch these 3 shows now
A group of teenagers on their knees in 'The Program.'

There are plenty of great Netflix shows about basically whatever it might be that you want to watch. Among the many things that Netflix is great at is true crime docuseries, which it has released steadily since its earliest days as a streamer.

One of those recent documentaries is The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping, which tells the story of one woman who decides to expose the seedy underbelly behind the "troubled teen" industry. The documentary is riveting from beginning to end, but if you've already finished it, we've found three other docuseries that might be great follow-ups. Not all of these docs are the easiest to watch, but if you want something thrilling, these will fit the bill.
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence (2023)
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence | February 9 | Hulu

Read more
3 Netflix shows we can’t wait to see in April
Two teen males read a glowing book in Dead Boy Detectives.

It's not a surprise to find out that Netflix has been dominating in 2024. From hit shows like The Gentlemen with Theo James to popular movies like Damsel with Millie Bobby Brown, the streamer has put out an impressive lineup of original programming that crosses almost every genre and boasts popular stars, both young and old.

While its April programming schedule will have comparatively fewer titles than in the last few months, Netflix still has an intriguing selection that is sure to interest anyone with a taste for adventure and mystery. There's another adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley, a French thriller set in a snowy mountain range, and a comic book adaptation from the fanciful mind of Neil Gaiman.
Ripley (April 4)
Ripley | Official Trailer | Netflix

Read more
Like the hit Netflix show Homicide New York? Then watch these 3 true crime shows now
A promo image for Netflix's Homicide New York.

Thanks in large part to its hugely familiar setting, Homicide New York has been a huge success since it premiered on Netflix. The series follows some of the grisliest crimes that have taken place in America's largest city.

If you're looking for more great true crime that's in a similar vein after you've consumed all of Homicide, though, then we've got a couple of shows that might fit the bill. These are three great true crime shows you should check out if you liked Homicide New York.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark (2020)

Read more