Metacritic

Leading entertainment review aggregation platform with significant industry influence

Metacritic is a prominent review aggregation platform that collects and synthesizes professional critic reviews and user ratings for entertainment media including video games, movies, TV shows, and music. Founded in 1999 and launched in 2001, the site converts diverse reviews into normalized Metascores (0-100 scale) using a proprietary weighted average system that gives more weight to reviews from established critics and publications. Metacritic has become an influential force in the entertainment industry, particularly in gaming, where Metascores often impact developer bonuses, marketing strategies, and consumer purchasing decisions. As a subsidiary of Fandom, Inc. (acquired in 2022, previously owned by Red Ventures and CBS Interactive before that), Metacritic operates as a content and media platform rather than a traditional AdTech company. However, it participates in the digital advertising ecosystem through display advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing partnerships. The platform generates revenue primarily through advertising sales to entertainment companies, publishers, and brands seeking to reach its audience of entertainment enthusiasts and industry professionals. Metacritic's influence extends beyond simple aggregation, as its scores have become industry benchmarks that affect box office performance, game sales, and streaming viewership.