How ratings work
The rules in plain words: what makes a verdict Solid, Mixed or Avoid, when the data is too thin to say, and how fast old reports fade.
One verdict per activity
Logging in, paying, uploading files and writing notes are rated separately. A site can be Solid for notes and Avoid for payments. The headline is always the weakest activity — never an average that hides the bad part.
Thin data stays labeled
Below 5 weighted reports an activity shows Not enough reports, never a guess. 3 reports of “fine” can never outrank 300 reports at 90%: ranking uses the Wilson lower bound, so deep evidence always beats thin evidence.
The thresholds
At least 70% “fine” → Solid. At least 50% “avoid” → Avoid. Anything between → Mixed. The raw split (41 fine, 12 mixed, 9 avoid) is always shown next to the word, so you see disagreement.
Recent reports count more
Each report’s weight halves every 180 days. A fixed problem stops hurting a site; a new problem shows fast. The newest report’s date is on every page.
What CMS does not claim
Ratings report what people said. They are not audits, not scam verdicts, and not legal conclusions. A good rating is not a guarantee. Nobody can pay to change a rating. Only approved reports count; spam, duplicates and brigading are held for review.
A worked example
Illustrative numbers, not a real site. Imagine 40 recent reports about paying: 10 fine, 8 mixed, 22 avoid.
55% is above the 50% line, so the verdict is Avoid, shown with the full 10 / 8 / 22 split. If the site is Solid for logging in, that stays visible too. The headline still shows the weakest activity.