4-Star Review: Why Didn’t I Get a 5-Star? [ANSWERED]

You might have seen this happen... A customer enjoys their experience and still leaves four stars instead of five.

It feels almost perfect but leaves you wondering what was missing.

Understanding what a 4-star review means can help you improve, fill in the small gaps, and create experiences that feel truly memorable.

What is a 4-Star Review?

A 4-star review is a positive, satisfied rating that shows a customer genuinely liked your product or service but felt it was not quite perfect.

It often means they would recommend you to others and would buy again, though they noticed something like a small delay, a minor flaw, or an experience that did not fully exceed expectations.

In many cases, a 4-star review signals “I loved this overall, but there is still room to improve.”

Why Would Users Leave a 4-Star Review and Not a 5-Star?

Even happy customers have reasons for choosing a 4-star rating, and knowing why can help you spot small gaps and improve the experience.

A Minor Issue or Inconvenience

Many users leave a 4-star review because something small did not meet their expectations.

This could be a late delivery, a short wait for support, or a minor product defect.

While these issues are not dealbreakers, they are enough to keep the experience from feeling flawless.

It Did Not Feel Remarkable

Sometimes, everything goes smoothly, but nothing stood out as special or memorable.

The product or service worked as promised, but it did not create a lasting impression or a “wow” moment.

Customers often reserve 5 stars for experiences that feel truly exceptional.

Clear Room for Improvement

A 4-star review can also reflect a sense that improvement is possible.

The customer might see potential to elevate your service or product to the next level and wants to give feedback without discouraging others.

This shows they are satisfied but believe there is still something to refine or enhance.

How to Respond to 4-Star Reviews

When a customer leaves a 4-star review, you can use 4 star review response examples to craft a reply that encourages a 5-star next time.

Show Gratitude and Reflect Their Positive Tone

Start by warmly thanking them and repeating something they liked. Reinforcing the good parts helps them feel heard and reminds them why they were mostly happy.

Example

“Thank you so much for your review. We’re thrilled you loved the product quality and found it easy to use.”

Gently Ask for Specific Feedback

Since 4-star reviews often skip details, invite the customer to share what you could do better.

This shows you genuinely care about making improvements, and if you’d like ideas on how to approach this, we’ve shared tips on how to ask for a review that can make the process feel natural.

Example

“We noticed you gave us four stars and we’d love to learn how we can make your next experience a full five. If you have a moment, please share any thoughts—we’re always listening.”

Highlight an Improvement or Offer Help

If you already know or suspect what kept it from five stars (like shipping or packaging), acknowledge it and explain what you’re doing to improve.

We also cover the risks of ignoring your online reputation if you’d like to see why proactive responses matter.

Example

“We understand that faster delivery would have made this even better. We’re working on shortening our shipping times so your next order arrives right when you need it.”

Invite Them to Return

Encourage the customer to give you another chance.

This shows you care about building a long-term relationship, not just collecting ratings, and it helps strengthen loyalty over time.

You can also explore our guide on reputation marketing to learn how positive experiences can turn into lasting trust.

Example

“We’d love to welcome you back soon and make your next visit a five-star experience. If there’s anything specific we can prepare or improve for you, please let us know.”

Treat It Like an Opportunity, Not a Criticism

A 4-star review is a sign you’re close to perfect. Rather than seeing it as a shortfall, frame it as valuable insight that helps you improve.

When customers feel you appreciate their honesty, they are more likely to support you again and eventually leave that 5-star rating.

If you’re curious, we also share common reputation management mistakes to avoid when replying to reviews.

Example

“We appreciate your honest feedback—it helps us see where we can keep growing. Thank you for helping us get even closer to a perfect experience.”

How to Respond to a 4-Star Review Without Comments

Sometimes customers leave a 4-star review without any explanation.

This usually happens because they were satisfied overall but did not feel strongly enough to write details, or they were short on time. It can also mean they did not experience any major problems but thought something could have been just a little better.

Even without comments, you can still respond in a way that shows appreciation and invites more feedback.

• Thank Them for Their Rating: Express gratitude to show you value every review, even if no details were shared, similar to the approach we recommend when you respond to negative reviews.
• Invite Them to Share More: Politely ask if they would be willing to tell you what could have made the experience a full five stars, especially since silent reviews can be an opportunity to encourage customers to write reviews in the future.
• Offer Support or Assistance: Let them know you are available if they have questions or need help with anything related to their purchase, as this helps avoid small issues that sometimes lead to reputation management mistakes.

Taking the time to reply warmly helps build trust and can encourage customers to share more feedback in the future.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide helps you feel more confident about handling any 4-star review, as these ratings are a powerful way to learn, improve, and build stronger customer relationships.

If you’re interested in digging deeper, we’ve shared other resources you might find helpful here at SurgePoint.

You can explore our tips on responding to 2-star reviews or learn how many 5-star reviews it takes to balance out a 1-star.

You can also browse our blog for more guides or take a look at how our tools for reviews, referrals, insights, and repeat customers can support your business.

If you have questions or want help getting started, feel free to reach out anytime at info@thesurgepoint.com.

We’re wishing you the best of luck as you turn great feedback into even better results.

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