Understanding the IMDb Starmeter: What Actors Need to Know

As actors, we often wonder about the importance of the IMDb Starmeter. In this article, we’ll explain what it is and whether it really matters for actors like us.

The IMDb Starmeter is a number that shows how popular an actor is. It’s based on an algorithm that looks at their projects and how many people know about them.

For example, at the end of May 2023, the #1 actor on IMDb was Ray Stevenson (who unfortunately had just died), Rebecca Ferguson was #2, de Caprio was #23 and so on. (You can see the current list here.)

In other words, the Starmeter shows how popular an actor is on IMDb or, in other words, how often their page has been visited by IMDb users.

Experienced casting director Amy Jo Berman and others agree that the Starmeter rank is not important to them. They don’t use it when choosing actors for roles. Many industry professionals feel the same way.

In her video, Amy Jo Berman simply advises actors to ignore it because industry professionals do.

In other words, casting decisions are based on an actor’s talent, skills, and suitability for a role. The Starmeter rank doesn’t reflect an actor’s abilities or potential. What matters is how well an actor auditions, their past work, and if they’re right for the part.

Instead of worrying about the Starmeter, actors should focus on their craft. Training, building a strong portfolio, networking, and giving great auditions are what really matter. By developing skills and delivering standout performances, actors will get noticed by casting professionals.

The IMDb Starmeter rank is simply not important for actors. Industry professionals don’t consider it when making casting decisions. Ok, you might want to pay a service to increase your ranking because it makes you stand out and you can post your new high rank on social media, but for the people who matter – the casting directors and film directors – then it simply isn’t important because they won’t even check it.