Getting downvoted? A rant and a request for perspective.

You discuss a lot of different issues, so I will try to address them individually. I don't mean any offense and I tried to word this as constructively as possible.

1. I will say it one more time. "Useful" is in no way a negative or down vote. It is the standard for a very good review. "Extremely useful," in my opinion, should be reserved for those reviews that go above and beyond what is expected in a review. I believe that this rating is way over used, thus why most people now expect this rating or else feel they are being down voted.

2. It's human nature to want everyone to love your reviews. We put a lot of time and effort into writing them. However, I think it's best to take the approach that you truly believe you did your best and not worry about everyone else's opinions. Your opinion is what matters most. You will never please everyone.

3. Whether or not a person rating your review has ever written reviews is irrelevant. Their opinion is just as valid as anyone else's opinion. Reviews are not written for reviewers. They are written to showcase an item to the entire public. Having said that, I believe that there are some that vote without reading specifically for point farming. However, unless you have irrefutable proof, there's not much we can do about it except ignore it.

4. Your rank is based on the overall average rating of your review. If you get a random "somewhat useful" or worse, it shouldn't affect your overall review rating.

5. I'm one of those people that does not often leave a comment. I apologize if I am one that has done that to your reviews. However, someone rating your review has absolutely no obligation whatsoever to leave a comment. If they do, great. If they don't, so be it. I would suggest privately messaging any such people, but don't necessarily expect a response. You would have better luck messaging higher ranked reviewers/mentors for suggestions on improving that particular review.

6. It never hurts to go through the mentor program again, especially if you think it would benefit you. Perhaps try to pick one that succeeds where you perceive you might not be as strong?

7. Please don't take this the wrong way, but I think you hit the nail on the head when you said you are a perfectionist. As such, you are upset when others do not agree that your review is perfect. I've had reviews that received tons of extremely useful scores, and then the totally random somewhat useful. Originally I thought to myself "really?" But then I came to the conclusion I mentioned earlier, you will never please everyone. And that's okay.

So do I think you're being a drama queen? Maybe a little, but that's okay. We all need to vent our frustrations every now and then. Just realize that the system isn't perfect, but it's pretty darned good as far as I can tell so far. Learn to be happy with your work, no matter what anyone else thinks.

Edit: I forgot to add that some people don't realize that you have to click the "Click here to read the rest of the review" link and instead rate it based on the content on EF. So in some cases there is a valid reason why they may not have clicked to your blog.

I have to politely disagree with this one solution; quote: one suggestion (and this is only a suggestion!) is that anyone who ranks a review less than extremely useful should be required to explain what can be done to make it better.

A rating of "Useful" is the NORM! "Extremely Useful" is for reviews that go above and beyond the call of duty, those that are very well written, those that are innovative, those that answer virtually all one's questions, perhaps those with pics and maybe even graphs etc. No one should expect that all votes on their reviews be "EU" as it is not realistic. "Useful" means "you did a really good job and covered what was required and then some." "Extremely Useful" is for very high quality reviews and as many have said, is not only not the norm, but not to be expected from everybody on every review.

Often reviews are good, so I rate them "useful." But, they don't have that WOW factor, and there really isn't any reason to leave a comment. I don't want to be "required" to comment when the review did what it was supposed to do. The rating of "Useful" doesn't hurt your score and is what is really expected most of the time.

I hope this is taken as it was given....in a friendly manner.

I don't think people should be required to comment. I have only rated a small number of reviews "not at all useful" and they were ALL the "this toy made me cum and cum, itz a gud toy, evrybdy shud get thz and cum and cum" type. Bleh. LOL! I often suggest that people join the Mentor Program and use the Extended Template in the comment section. Once in a while I've been attacked for doing this or offering suggestions on how a review could be improved. *Shrug*

It seems like those serious about review writing take the constructive criticism well and those who don't aren't really interested in working to make their reviews better.

Thanks for adding the part about clicking the link to get to the review. I actually, very specifically asked someone once who had downvoted a review to, I think, "worth reading..." on someone's blog review as to why they thought so little of such a detailed review. Their response was, "It was only a paragraph." To which I said, "No, there's a link to the blog." The person was extremely embarrassed by not having known to click on the link. They were critiquing based on the summary.

I think most of the time, the program works WELL! But, I think talking these things out is also helpful.

There are always changes going on, and it usually works in the end. It's just frustrating, sometimes. All in all, the program is solid and well done. Yeah, when I rant, is IS about a small number of incidents. I'm not angry at all, just airing a bit of frustration.

Most of the time, the program works. I think the Mentor Program, when properly utilized, helps a great deal.

But, I don't think people should be required to leave comments. Yeah, the "whiz by" raters drive me crazy. Few of them have ever written a review (unless it's by an other identity, which is against the rules) but I don't know what the solution is to people who are rating reviews and not knowing what they are supposed to rate on. *sigh*

I'm getting a headache.

No. This suggestions is not a solution because y'all are missing the part that "EU" is not the standard for a good review. Useful is. And frankly, if 5 or 6 people have already critiqued a review for content, I am not going to go in and reiterate what has already been said.

Also, what will happen is that more people will vote EU just so they don't have to explain why they didn't think the review shot the moon. I don't vote disingenuously, and I don't want people to vote on others disingenuously just so they don't have to explain themselves.

AND... if they do, instead of the "Thanks" comments you're getting, you're going to get "Shitty Review" "This sucks" "hated it" "don't want the toy" as your "explanations" Which is neither constructive nor a solution.

I just wrote a book review. It got 4 EU votes and 1 U vote. Honestly, I felt the U vote was the better vote, even though the voter didn't comment. It could have been a better review, for sure. I did not, in MY OWN OPINION, go above and beyond to write an exceptional review, and I expect it to be ranked accordingly. Did I slack off on the review? No. I wrote a USEFUL review. And there's nothing wrong with writing a USEFUL review.

I'm sorry that you're feeling alienated. This is going to come off more rude than it actually is intended.... You shouldn't take these threads personally; and if these threads "frustrate" you () I would just avoid them. I avoid threads on topics that make me frustrated or that irritate me.

Also, you should be ENCOURAGED that there are so many long-time reviewers who come in here and are basically agreeing with you on the matter. Not all of us who review a lot are interested in making these changes.

Ultimately, I find these threads incredibly useful because it gives me (and other seasoned reviewers) a chance to to explain some of the things we've learned from being here so long. A chance to educate.

I really hope that you see that no one is trying to alienate you. I feel awfully terrible that you feel that way because I enjoy hearing from you in the forums!

Amen. I know a lot of us are perfectionists, but sometimes we need to get over the idea that all our work is going to be universally accepted as wonderful all the time (which is what a EU vote is.)

You said; "And frankly, if 5 or 6 people have already critiqued a review for content, I am not going to go in and reiterate what has already been said. RIGHT! We were told a few months ago, "Do NOT reiterate a criticism or comment that someone else already has said in the comment section. People feel ganged up on when that happens." We all took it to heart. If someone has already said what I was going to comment on, I SAY NOTHING, because I don't want to pester the reviewer. What I wanted to say was already said.

It can get really personal, as sometimes we treat our own reviews like our babies, or pearl of wisdom falling from our mouths (fingers?) But, I think thicker skins will prevail, unless there is out right cheating and actual illegal downvoting being done.

I think I'm done here. I think....

Eden staffers, from the convos I've had, appreciate the healthy conversations regardless of the topic. They fight hard for us and these topics help them know what to fight for. As long as we're being respectful, they don't mind.

There are several reasons why staffers don't weigh in often. Here's a couple that I'm aware of:

1) They are HELLA BUSY! Many of them have several responsibilities other than the one that is listed as their "Title."

2) A lot of times long-time reviewers will come in and say exactly what they were going to say. If you look back to older threads of similar topics, they've come in and explained the staff POV. Now us "old dogs" are just regurgitating what they've already explained to us.

3) They will come in and clarify if we're offering misinformation. Or to diffuse tense situations.

But, like I said, as long as we are being respectful, we're free to discuss any topic.

Shit happens. Don't worry about it. One thing you can say about sexually open people, we are pretty freaking resilient. Eden isn't the slightest bit damaged by a little steam being let off.

Its all cool.

I don't think you're being a bitch at all! I've felt that way in the past, but then I had to develop a thicker skin about the whole scenario and learn to look at a lot of this from a different perspective.

The longer I've been here, the more I've learned about how the programs run. It's given me a different outlook on it.

Yay for gin and marshmallows. Smores sound really awesome right now!!

and

@P'Gell and BBW Talks Toys: Thanks for being understanding. I appreciate it

I don't think you have anything to apologize for. The forums are here for people to use and discuss whatever may be on their minds as long as it adheres to the expectations of conduct. You voiced frustration that many people share and resulted in a useful discussion.

The only person that needs to apologize is BBW. Who you calling an "old dog?" I might be seasoned (spicy at that! ) but I'm far from old! Or at least that's what I keep telling myself.

I actually understand where you're coming from here, unfortunately I'm obvious one of the bitches who gets bent out of shape.

Sigh, I really need to learn to deal. lol

Okay, if you consider this discussion useful, then yay!, I guess something good came out of my ranting.

Thanks for being objective Kindred.

I'm not apologizing for NUFFIN! I even referred to MYSELF as an old dog.