# AI models rate things 4.9 out of 5 three times as often as people

> Original title: Why 4.9? AI learned it from us, then turned it up.

- Source: Design Arena
- Published: 2026-10-29T16:54:32.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/i6kd8oqmg8b08zlgrpg7fkqji
- Original: https://x.com/DesignArena/status/2115849780761145647

## Summary

Design Arena says 4.9 is already people's most common rating, just slightly ahead of other values. AI models choose 4.9 three times as often, which the post attributes to trust: 4.9 reads as strong but credible, while a perfect 5.0 looks fake.

## Post

Why 4.9? AI learned it from us, then turned it up.

4.9 is already people's favorite rating, just barely. AI picks it 3x as often. We think it's about trust: 4.9 sounds great but still real, while a perfect 5.0 looks fake.

[Video](https://badinfluence.news/api/img-proxy?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Famplify_video_thumb%2F2115848324804956165%2Fimg%2Fmqru2-SlCWGCGDJH.jpg&mode=thumb&exp=1793491200&sig=25aa537fa0e0c1e2)