"Experts" in a subject area...

If you click on a particular subject on the sex toys reviews page, you get a page that looks like this: link. Under the review spotlight are three experts in that area. I want to know how those experts are chosen.

I had figured it was some sort of combination of review quality plus number of reviews of that type of product, but I have noted that that does not seem to be the case (?). Specifically, under BDSM, I swear up and down that Sleeping Dreamer" was on the list for BDSM experts (cause it was through this page that I saw her pony bit review) under Saurou a week or two back, but now the experts on that subject are Saurou, Essin Em and Bulma. Since Essin Em and Bulma have had absolutely no activity as of late, I am just confused as to how Sleeping Dreamer could have been "usurped" from her expert position. Note, this is the only example I can cite directly, but I am actually mostly curious IN GENERAL as to how the experts are designated in any of the subject areas...

Any ideas?

This is a good question, Red, I noticed that you showed up with me and ScottA under anal toys which seems to make sense, and that I also show up under male sex toys which also seems to make sense, but then I show up under dildos as well, and there are probably tons of other reviewers that would be better in that category than me.
I agree that it would seem to make sense to eliminate "inactive" reviewers from the expert status because they are unlikely to respond if a question is asked of them. Some others I noticed that fit this criteria are Cock Wrangler, and Dame Demi.
Obviously, I have no idea how they are chosen either and think some of them should be adjusted as well.

The experts are selected based on the highest average usefulness of their reviews about products in the review category. In this case BDSM Reviews Saurou, Essin' Em, and Bulma have the highest average review usefulness among all reviewers who wrote the reviews in BDSM category.

I asked Dame Demi a question about a month ago and never got a reply. I was wondering if she was still around. It was a bit confusing because she has the most reviews of anyone and I'm assuming has been here the longest. I wonder what happened to her?

Dame Demi does have the most reviews and she has been around a long time (she started in October 2007) but she is far from the longest one on here. The review program started in February 2007 and I think Destri is probably the reviewer that has been here the longest and is still actively reviewing.

I also think people aren't going to ask specific people general questions about, say, dildos. I'd ask on the forums first than ask the "experts" or, if I had a question about an item I know you've used, I'd comment on the review of message you about that specific item.

True there are lots of questions on the forums, but some of the people I've introduced to EF didn't even realize there are forums. I know it's right there - but they just didn't realize how much info is available here.

This reminds me of some forum thread where we discussed "inactive" status. Maybe that should be revisited so that when an "expert" is asked, it is an "active" member who will be more likely to respond.

Well, kind.

When you click "reviews" and then pick the type of product, you are taken straight to a page with the experts.

But when you search forum topics for particular items, at least in my experience, you get a WHOLE LOT of threads that aren't always relevant.

My point really was more though that I am finding more and more of the people in my not-online life don't really want to participate in/check out forums. They just want to shop.

Dame Demi does have the most reviews and she has been around a long time (she started in October 2007) but she is far from the longest one on here. The review program started in February 2007 and I think Destri is probably the reviewer that has been here the longest and is still actively reviewing.

Well, kind.

When you click "reviews" and then pick the type of product, you are taken straight to a page with the experts.

But when you search forum topics for particular items, at least in my experience, you get a WHOLE LOT of threads that aren't always relevant.

My point really was more though that I am finding more and more of the people in my not-online life don't really want to participate in/check out forums. They just want to shop.

True. Destri has been around longer than I have, but only by two months. She started in March 07. I started in May 07. I just wrote a review yesterday, and have another one in mind.

I still think that heavily "inactive" reviewers should not be listed as inactive. Dame Demi had personal issues that needed dealt with for awhile. I understand completely!

True. Destri has been around longer than I have, but only by two months. She started in March 07. I started in May 07. I just wrote a review yesterday, and have another one in mind.

I still think that heavily "inactive" reviewers should not be listed as inactive. Dame Demi had personal issues that needed dealt with for awhile. I understand completely!

The experts are selected based on the highest average usefulness of their reviews about products in the review category. In this case BDSM Reviews Saurou, Essin' Em, and Bulma have the highest average review usefulness among all reviewers who wrote the reviews in BDSM category.