Similar Tastes or Similar Recommendations?
I’m a big fan of Netflix. I’ve had an account for a few years now and have caught up on a lot of movies I’ve had on my “to watch” list forever. One thing I really like about Netflix is how they let you see what other people are renting. Call it curiosity or maybe laziness to find stuff on my own, probably a little of both.
There’s the “Netflix Top 100” and you can even check out the Top 25 rentals in a whole bunch of genres. Number one in Sci-Fi & Fantasy right now? Transformers of course. What about Thrillers? Well that’s the Da Vinci Code (funny, I thought that got panned). Number one on the Top 100, well that’s Crash, followed by The Departed at number two. Hmmm…Best Picture winners from two and three years ago, guess it takes people on Netflix some time to catch up with Oscar Buzz.
But forget about rentals overall. This is a big country after all. I’ve noticed the “Local Favorites” section before and seen what’s getting rented in my ZIP Code. Interesting to check out, I guess. But what I have recently found even cooler is looking at random places across the country to see what their “Local Favorites” are and it has me wondering what exactly is going on.
You see, there seems to be a pattern of rentals in certain places, and I’m not totally convinced it’s because everyone who lives in the same ZIP has the same tastes. There seem to be a lot of themes in the “Local Favorites.”
Let’s take a look. Number one in Washington, DC, K Street: The Complete Series. How about Philadelphia? It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Seasons 1& 2 (And yes the movie Philadelphia was in the Top 25). Boston? Black Irish. If you couldn’t guess, it’s a movie that takes place in Southie. Chicago’s number one, H.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer. Guess where he killed people? Guess what’s hot in San Francisco. Sucker Free City. Yup, it takes place in the city by the bay.
Of course these are just some select examples. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of movies that don’t correlate to the city of rental. I can’t tell you why two versions of Jane Eyre are in the Top 25 of Ogden, Utah. But I just find it curious. Are there that many people seeking the same thing in these cities or is Netflix recommending people in certain cities certain movies? And is that in itself perpetuating the popularity of certain titles?
If it is, what’s being missed? What isn’t being recommended? What about the bright-eyed kid in the Midwest who really belongs in New York City? What about her recommendations?
