Well it finally happened: TA bumped me

I'd been dreading this for a couple of months now. Got a single 3-star from my grumpy service fee guy (from a previous post) and a four-star super complimentary guy that couldn't go that last star. My competitor got much fewer reviews, but all 5's, so yesterday TA transposed us and made me 2 out of 2. *Sigh*
What's slightly disturbing about it is we average 2 TA reviews a week - we haven't gotten a review in 33 days. Very odd. I sent my rep a note about it tonight. If I were a believer in conspiracy theories, I'd think TA was sandbagging me because I went very public about their mobile screwup listing B&Bs. The realist in me says they have much bigger fish to fry than little old me.
That said, it's the first time since I bought the place we aren't the No 1 place out of 2 B&Bs/Inns. Again, *sigh.* It'll probably take a month or two to get back, since I don't think they calculate the algorithms on a daily basis.

We've in a very similar situation. New B&B down the road has nearly all 5s which has pushed us down to 2 out of 2.
A short while ago they got a 4 and we jumped to no.1, lasted about a week before someone gave us a 4 and we dropped to 2 again.
I'm the same with reviews too, usually we get 3-4 reviews a week, we've only had 4 in the past month despite asking people to leave one and having a good turnover of guests.

The algorithm runs more frequently than you think. It took a few days for us to drop after the one star review in July. Then we got a flurry of unasked for 5 star reviews and went up a smidge the following week.
We've ceased even mentioning ta to guests, have removed all mention of them from the premises and we're now stuck where we are for the foreseeable future. (Until the one place lower than us gets another 5 star, then we drop again.)
I'm leaving it to the next owners to bring the score up.
Our rep told us the only way to improve is to get out there and plug TA at every opportunity. I told her I wasn't playing any longer.

Since TA changed their algorithm we fell from the top to rather buried down in the list, with 8 rooms competing with places with 80 and 100 rooms it is unlikely we will rise to the top again as long as the volume of reviews is part of the algorithm, actually seem to have gotten fewer reviews this year than in the past, it may be that the public is tired of the game as well and looking for the next new thing, on the other hand we still stay busy so guess that part is still good.

Well according to the rules I don't have to stay at your property to give you a 5 star review...might be able to test your theories as well!

The algorithm can now change daily and seems to me is more heavily weighted re quantity vs quality. We had a battle of the top three this past July and the only influencing factor was quantity (as long as reviews were either a 4 or a 5). We since dropped out, tired of constantly badgering folks to review, and are number 3, but my strategy is to wait until the other 2 BBs close next week for the season. Then I simply need to get a few more reviews during the time they are closed, and we should be back on top in no time for the next six months.
Bottom line: You should easily get back to Number 1 soon, if you play the game and solicit.

From experience, the algorithm seems to run every 2 to 3 days. We can move up and down daily because the scores are so close around here. And the frequency of reviews is a factor.

JimBoone said:

Since TA changed their algorithm we fell from the top to rather buried down in the list, with 8 rooms competing with places with 80 and 100 rooms it is unlikely we will rise to the top again as long as the volume of reviews is part of the algorithm, actually seem to have gotten fewer reviews this year than in the past, it may be that the public is tired of the game as well and looking for the next new thing, on the other hand we still stay busy so guess that part is still good..

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JimBoone said:

Since TA changed their algorithm we fell from the top to rather buried down in the list, with 8 rooms competing with places with 80 and 100 rooms it is unlikely we will rise to the top again as long as the volume of reviews is part of the algorithm, actually seem to have gotten fewer reviews this year than in the past, it may be that the public is tired of the game as well and looking for the next new thing, on the other hand we still stay busy so guess that part is still good.

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Are you designated a B&B? I'd think 80 room places would be designated, "Hotel." That would put you in a different category.

(I actually mentioned this on another thread before I saw this one.)
We got bumped from #1 to #6 in one day!!!! We have had about one review a week all fall, but the past three or four had only 4 eyes. So we are about average for the town.
TA says there are 26 B&Bs in town so we are 6 of 26 - not bad. But the truth is, 10 of those listed are closed. Some have been closed for years. So we are really listed 6 of 16.

TheBeachHouse said:

JimBoone said:

Since TA changed their algorithm we fell from the top to rather buried down in the list, with 8 rooms competing with places with 80 and 100 rooms it is unlikely we will rise to the top again as long as the volume of reviews is part of the algorithm, actually seem to have gotten fewer reviews this year than in the past, it may be that the public is tired of the game as well and looking for the next new thing, on the other hand we still stay busy so guess that part is still good..

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JimBoone said:

Since TA changed their algorithm we fell from the top to rather buried down in the list, with 8 rooms competing with places with 80 and 100 rooms it is unlikely we will rise to the top again as long as the volume of reviews is part of the algorithm, actually seem to have gotten fewer reviews this year than in the past, it may be that the public is tired of the game as well and looking for the next new thing, on the other hand we still stay busy so guess that part is still good.

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Are you designated a B&B? I'd think 80 room places would be designated, "Hotel." That would put you in a different category.
.

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Hi Beachie,
No, I'm the odd member on the forum, an 8 room motel so for TA I fit in with the hotels and it is a bit of a disadvantage on size, but in terms of interests and size I fit much better with my friends here on the forum. We don't serve food and the building is a little 60's roadside property rather than a historic house, but beyond lacking those two items we are a tiny family business with no employees and I hope share that personal friendship with our guests like others on the forum.

JimBoone said:

Since TA changed their algorithm we fell from the top to rather buried down in the list, with 8 rooms competing with places with 80 and 100 rooms it is unlikely we will rise to the top again as long as the volume of reviews is part of the algorithm, actually seem to have gotten fewer reviews this year than in the past, it may be that the public is tired of the game as well and looking for the next new thing, on the other hand we still stay busy so guess that part is still good..

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You have done better than being Number One on TA. When I searched hotels in your town the first page of the search was full of price-line, TA, bucking, etc. Only one on that whole page was not an OTA and that was you. Keep up the good work! Here's my five stars for you *****!

TheBeachHouse said:

(I actually mentioned this on another thread before I saw this one.)
We got bumped from #1 to #6 in one day!!!! We have had about one review a week all fall, but the past three or four had only 4 eyes. So we are about average for the town.
TA says there are 26 B&Bs in town so we are 6 of 26 - not bad. But the truth is, 10 of those listed are closed. Some have been closed for years. So we are really listed 6 of 16..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We got bumped from #1 to #6 in one day!!!! We have had about one review a week all fall, but the past three or four had only 4 eyes. So we are about average for the town.

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Alas, a couple of consecutive 4 eyes begins a trend. Folks look to see how recent others ranked you and perpetuate it. We haven't had a new review since early August; am content with that as long as we maintain our 5 eyes, which is more important than those volatile mystery rankings.

Momma Smurf said:

TheBeachHouse said:

(I actually mentioned this on another thread before I saw this one.)
We got bumped from #1 to #6 in one day!!!! We have had about one review a week all fall, but the past three or four had only 4 eyes. So we are about average for the town.
TA says there are 26 B&Bs in town so we are 6 of 26 - not bad. But the truth is, 10 of those listed are closed. Some have been closed for years. So we are really listed 6 of 16..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

We got bumped from #1 to #6 in one day!!!! We have had about one review a week all fall, but the past three or four had only 4 eyes. So we are about average for the town.

Click to expand...

Alas, a couple of consecutive 4 eyes begins a trend. Folks look to see how recent others ranked you and perpetuate it. We haven't had a new review since early August; am content with that as long as we maintain our 5 eyes, which is more important than those volatile mystery rankings.
.

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DH loves it. He doesn't like the high rankings because it causes unrealistic expectations.

On the BedPosts Forum there has been a lot of chatter the last few days about the TA rankings. They are all over the place - going from something like 6 to 29 overnight. TA was telling them it was a glitch that is being fixed.

I'm permanently stuck at 2/2. We have the same total number of reviews and they have gotten 2 4's since the 1 4 I received about 3 years ago. Maybe they don't even bother with algorithms when you're not in a touristy area.

Take heart. We are the only 5* rated B+B in our town but because we are small and have a lot of repeat guests we can not generate as many reviews as the big inn, that low balls for all kinds of deals, takes kids and pets and has a staff. Still, our 201 reviews are consistently better than their 254. BUT...they have had a business listing on TA which I think gave them the advantage when they bumped us from #1 to #2. I see that they discontinued that listing recently so am curious to see if they stay #1 by virtue of the number of reviews they generate or if our solid 5* rating boosts us up a notch in the coming days.

Duff2014 said:

JimBoone said:

Since TA changed their algorithm we fell from the top to rather buried down in the list, with 8 rooms competing with places with 80 and 100 rooms it is unlikely we will rise to the top again as long as the volume of reviews is part of the algorithm, actually seem to have gotten fewer reviews this year than in the past, it may be that the public is tired of the game as well and looking for the next new thing, on the other hand we still stay busy so guess that part is still good..

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You have done better than being Number One on TA. When I searched hotels in your town the first page of the search was full of price-line, TA, bucking, etc. Only one on that whole page was not an OTA and that was you. Keep up the good work! Here's my five stars for you *****!
.

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Thank you

Silverspoon said:

Take heart. We are the only 5* rated B+B in our town but because we are small and have a lot of repeat guests we can not generate as many reviews as the big inn, that low balls for all kinds of deals, takes kids and pets and has a staff. Still, our 201 reviews are consistently better than their 254. BUT...they have had a business listing on TA which I think gave them the advantage when they bumped us from #1 to #2. I see that they discontinued that listing recently so am curious to see if they stay #1 by virtue of the number of reviews they generate or if our solid 5* rating boosts us up a notch in the coming days..

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I'm afraid having a business listing didn't help me, although it might help me decide to drop the listing and expense since I'm no longer high on the list. Oh well.

Silverspoon said:

Take heart. We are the only 5* rated B+B in our town but because we are small and have a lot of repeat guests we can not generate as many reviews as the big inn, that low balls for all kinds of deals, takes kids and pets and has a staff. Still, our 201 reviews are consistently better than their 254. BUT...they have had a business listing on TA which I think gave them the advantage when they bumped us from #1 to #2. I see that they discontinued that listing recently so am curious to see if they stay #1 by virtue of the number of reviews they generate or if our solid 5* rating boosts us up a notch in the coming days..

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Get new reviews and you should move. It's a combo of stars, novelty, and longevity.
We no longer have novelty.

Morticia said:

Silverspoon said:

Take heart. We are the only 5* rated B+B in our town but because we are small and have a lot of repeat guests we can not generate as many reviews as the big inn, that low balls for all kinds of deals, takes kids and pets and has a staff. Still, our 201 reviews are consistently better than their 254. BUT...they have had a business listing on TA which I think gave them the advantage when they bumped us from #1 to #2. I see that they discontinued that listing recently so am curious to see if they stay #1 by virtue of the number of reviews they generate or if our solid 5* rating boosts us up a notch in the coming days..

Click to expand...

Get new reviews and you should move. It's a combo of stars, novelty, and longevity.
We no longer have novelty.
.

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Well new reviews are the problem. We closed for the season last weekend so there is no way to generate new reviews unless some of our summer guests decide to write this winter. Sooooo, we will be content to be #2 on TA's list as long as we can keep our 5* standing. Anyone looking for peace and quiet in a scenic setting will find us. The #1 place is on the highway and specializes in families and pets.