Andrew Minard


product manager // data analyst // options trader // guitar player


  1. How many reviews does it take to achieve a meaningful average rating?

    What is the value of consumer-generated content? How do shoppers behave on different devices? These are the types of questions the Analytics team strive to answer by doing what we do best – digging through troves of data. Lately, we’ve been thinking about the relationship between two of the most basic metrics: average rating and the number of reviews a product has. Let’s drill down a little deeper and demonstrate how to use this available data to gain a more complete perspective on consumer sentiment.


  2. What travelers really want: Insights from The Conversation Index

    As technology fuels a global interconnectedness throughout society, it’s no surprise that the internet and word of mouth are considered the most important sources of information today. This is particularly true in the travel industry, where people are either planning imminent travel or just seeking inspiration for their next journey. …


  3. Back-To-School Shopping Season Offers A Lesson For The Holidays

    Next to the winter holidays, the back-to-school season is the second-biggest selling period of the year for U.S. retailers. However, after a disappointing back-to-school shopping season, forecasters are already predicting a weak holiday shopping season …


  4. Review data shows back-to-school research peaked earlier than expected

    With the first day of school already upon us, making a good impression is top priority no matter who you are. Students carefully pick out their snazziest outfits, while internet retailers serve up their most influential content – customer opinions. …


  5. Age, expertise, and gender noticeably affect sentiment

    If you’ve ever been chided by your grandfather for not finishing your supper, using the computer too much, or listening to rock ‘n roll, you may have internalized the stereotype that the elderly are grumpy and cantankerous. Despite our subjective experiences, psychological research exists that counters this, and instead proposes that positive emotions increase with age. …