How the Hype Gap works

Hype (0–100): how big the expectation is

• Popularity (75%): total Google + Tripadvisor reviews on a log scale, set per destination because big cities collect far more reviews. On Oʻahu 1,000 reviews scores 0 and 50,000 scores 100; in the ten big cities 2,000 scores 0 and 250,000 scores 100 (Tokyo: 2,000 to 120,000). Neighbourhoods rarely have a single Google listing, so their Hype never goes below 50.
• Stars (25%): the Google rating. 3.8★ scores 0, 5.0★ scores 100.
• Editors can override Hype for a place, for example when it is everywhere on social media but has few reviews. Overrides are rare and noted.

Reality (0–100): whether it delivers

Before visitors vote, Reality starts from an evidence-based score on four questions, each 1–5 with sources on the page:

• Lives up to its fame (35%): do reviews say it matches the photos, or call it overrated or a tourist trap?
• Value for money (25%): price against what you actually get.
• Can’t get it elsewhere (20%): could you get the same experience nearby with less effort?
• Easy to do (20%): booking windows, closed days, parking, crowds and drive time.

Then visitor votes take over. Each vote is worth it (1), mixed (0.5) or not worth it (0). Verified visits count three times. Reality = (starting score × 25 + votes × their weight) ÷ (25 + total weight), so after a few dozen votes, people who went decide.

The gap and the verdict

• Gap = Reality − Hype. −10 or lower is overhyped, +10 or higher is underrated (only if Reality is 60 or more, so a weak place is never called underrated), anything between lives up to the hype.
• Verdict from Reality: 70+ worth it · 50–69 worth it if… · under 50 skip it.
• We show a “% worth it” only after 10 votes, and a per-group % (couples, families…) after 5 votes from that group. Until then, the group verdict is editorial and says so.

A place can be worth it and still overhyped. That is the point: it’s good, just not as good as everyone says.

Contributing, right on the page

• Full rules and how to start: Contribute.
• No account needed. Votes, tips and photos go live right away.
• Verified visits: share your location while you’re there, or upload a photo whose GPS data shows it was taken on site. These count 3×.
• Fixing facts (prices, hours, closures) goes to an editor first, because one wrong price ruins someone’s day. Or tap “Still right” to confirm a fact.
• No links, promotions or abuse. Three independent reports hide a tip or photo until an editor reviews it.
• One vote per person per place per 30 days; a new vote replaces your old one.

Photos and ratings

Ratings, review counts and some photos come from Google Maps and Tripadvisor, credited to their contributors. Visitor photos are credited to the person who posted them.

Independence

No place can pay for a verdict, buy a placement or hide a review. Booking links go to official sites and we take no commission on them.

The full rules on sources, AI tools, independence and corrections are in our editorial standards. Questions or corrections: contact us.