Uber may be changing one of its app's signature features.
The ride hailing company is testing a new ratings system that replaces the five-star one with smiley faces and thumbs up or thumbs down.
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The experiment was first reported by Quartz after Uber riders in Austin, Texas and Singapore noticed the changes.
Whoa, Uber just asked me to give a mere thumbs up/down rather than a star rating. When did this start? pic.twitter.com/MUQJIblS9Y— Bryan Ma (@bryanbma) December 15, 2015
@Uber now following @YouTube on ratings....no star ratings allowed...let's be PC and rate with thumbs and smilies... pic.twitter.com/y4zyEs8yqe— Anthony Bowman (@tonybowmanbotek) December 5, 2015
An Uber spokesperson confirmed the test to Mashable saying the experiment is meant to offer a "simpler ratings option."
"We always explore new ways to combine technology, research and data to improve the Uber experience for riders and drivers. In a few select markets, we are testing whether a simpler ratings option can make it even easier for riders to submit clear and accurate feedback."
In addition to Austin, the test is being conducted with Uber users in the United States in Denver, Colorado and Nashville, Tennessee. It's also being tested in Perth, Australia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Hanoi, Vietnam; Singapore, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; Foshan, China; Cairo, Egypt; Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Manchester, England.
It appears the new ratings system is limited to passengers, rather than drivers, who also use a five-star system to rate passengers. It's not clear if or when the company plans to expand the feature beyond its current trials, though it will likely depend on the feedback it gets during the testing period.