Why isn't the overall rating cumulative?

[Ryan368]

Why is it possible for a guest to review my space and give me 5 stars in every category and then a 4 overall. Doesn't that seem ridiculous? When I review a guest, if I give them 5 in all three categories, it automatically rates them a 5. Why do we, as hosts, have a different criteria for our rating? Having the overall option as a manual input makes the first 5 selections irrelevant. It sort of infuriating considering that the overall score selection is the only one that factors into the star rating in the listing search order.

[Dave-and-Deb0]

@Ryan368

I actually like it the way it is as I find in most cases, the guest may give you five stars on every category but one and then give you five stars overall.  I guess the truer system whould not have the guest give you an overall rating but the system would take the category ratings and give you an overall rating.  

[Ryan368]

Are you support staff or an AirBnB employee? You quoted the community help guide and the support contact info, all of which I had to have known in order to have gotten here. Not trying to be rude, I'm just wondering since you seem to be favoring a system I believe negatively impacts host in general.

I'm not saying you are a "support bot", but your reply seems like a half canned response. 

Thanks,

Ryan

[Letti0]

@Ryan368  I actually agree with @Dave-and-Deb0  I get dinged for location all the time, but I have all 5* Overall reviews. So this way works best for me. 

[Ryan368]

I'm not saying that it doesn't sometimes work out in your favor. I've had that too and until last week had never gotten a 4 on this property. My issue is that they gave me all 5s and then a 4 overall. For all I know, the 4 is in regards to bad weather or any other uncontrollable variable. Why should a guest be able to say that I perfectly met their expectations in every category but then give me a 4 overall? It doesn't make sense and their overall experience at the property SHOULD absolutely be based on the cumulation of the individual details asked in the first five questions. 

[Ryan368]

In general, the rating system is pointless. If someone gives you a bunch of fours in categories like location, that should also be reflected in the overall rating. As is, the first five questions don't mean anything in the end. Why not just ask for an overall rating and skip the other questions since they have no bearing on the final score?