I think that the "middle-of-the-road" articles tend to be some of the best ones that I write.  It ends up showing both my lies and dis-likes of a product, rather than just really not liking it, or really liking it a lot.  Seems a lot less biased too if you ask me.  I will always write those 3 star reviews even if half are not-recommended and half are recommended products.  Sometimes it's good to be average :)

I also do three-star reviews and it can be tough to give a recommendation one way or another. I recently reviewed a movie that could have swung either way, but I ultimately gave it a thumbs-up. I may be doing another of those today.

My reads on three-star reviews are as good as for any other product. In fact, I have one three-star review that I knew would be popular because I could find no other reviews of that men's hair-care product on the Internet. None. Since I posted my review on Viewpoints, several other reviews have surfaced, mostly reinforcing the plusses and minuses I spelled out in my review. My review of this product is one of my most popular.

Three-star reviews are useful.

--Bob

I agree with the comments here so far.  A 3 star review is a valid addition to the discussion surrounding the product.

I often find it harder to write about something I really love compared to writing about something that's just so so.  I think that's because if I'm really into something I have a fear that I'm not being objective enough.  So I tend to write more 3s and 4s than 5s.

So that's 2 cents from a casual reviewer.

I usually recommed a product that I find middle of the road as "average" and back this up with my comments in the review.  That way the consumer knows that it really isn't anything to gloat on but it is a fair product and does pretty much what the manufacturer claims.   I reserve 5 stars for products that I really love that work beyond what is claimed.  On the other hand, if a product fails to perform, I go with one or two stars.  --Karen

In a 5 star system... 3 star is above average.   A lot of what I would think of three star I will rate up because of how people think of 3 star being average.

2 and a half is middle of the road and average.... but you rate up to 3...I assume making that the new average.. skewing everything higher.

5 star should actually be used very very sparingly as you are essentially saying this is just about perfect and it could not get any better than this...

of course that is almost never true and could not be.

All ratings are subjective and are in various stages of being rendered less meaningful every moment of every passing minute. Proceed with extreme speculation and watch your back.

An average product just doesn't get my juices flowing or my energy up.  It is kind of like the favorite old sweatshirt in the closet, comforting, well used, but nothing that you would take an ad out for, and perhaps not even be willing to be seen in....I think that is why I have a real passion for the things that I have tried to review-either positive or negative, but you do make a valid point that people may well want to have their thinking confirmed by the experiences of others with a product that isn't stellar, but does the job.  It is definitely food for thought.  Thanks

PattyTherre said…
I am the queen of writing reviews of average products or services. I don't have to have a strong like or dislike to review something. I know many people say that it's a waste of time to review something that isn't either horrible or outstanding but I think, if someone owns a product or has used a service and it's average, it's fine to review it.

Do you write reviews of things that are just average or do you favor reviewing things you love or things you hate?

My only issue is whether to recommend an average product. I have to really think about it and then give a reason why I do or don't. Otherwise, I have a load of three star reviews and I hope they're as helpful as the 1 and 5 star ones.

---

Like most here I really get into a product that moves me (either good or bad).  But for a lot of things in our daily lives "Average" is sufficient.  No reason not to review or recommend them.

--Rudi

I tend to be very black and white when it comes to rating things meaning almost everything I review is either Low (1-2 stars) or High (4-5 stars) without question.  It is rare I give 3 stars but when I do, I usually still say Recommended.  To me 3 stars means there was at least some redeeming qualities about the product.  I think all reviews are helpful regardless if you rate 1, 3, or 5.  In fact, 3 star reviews are more helpful sometimes because the reviewer will state the pros and cons of the product where as a lot of 5 star reviews just praise the product and don't point out any cons at all.

If a product or service does what it is expected or what it is advertised to do... that's a 3 star.  If it does more and extra that's a 4 star.   Sometimes we might push things up a star because products and services don't always do what they are supposed to do.    It skews the ratings but it's what many many people do.

Very good point about how many 5 star reviews do not point out any cons to a product.   I mean if you are rating something 5 stars.. you are saying it's really superb... and it should mean there are not any flaws or problems or major cons.... but.. often there are a few...and people don't mention them.   Most things have pros and cons.  Good to know about both.

That's a good question.

I tend to be a 2 or 4 star reviewer.  2 being pretty bad, 4 being I liked it....of course, 5 is outstanding!