Bottom line: The IMDb Starmeter does not help actors get cast. Casting directors worldwide consistently say they ignore these rankings when choosing actors for roles.

Many actors worry about their IMDb Starmeter ranking. They wonder if a low number hurts their career. This article will show you what industry professionals really think about this ranking system.

What Is the IMDb Starmeter? #

The IMDb Starmeter is a popularity ranking system. It measures how many people visit an actor's IMDb page each week.

The ranking updates every Monday. It is based on page views from over 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb.

A lower number means more people are searching for you. For example, the number one spot means you are the most searched person on IMDb that week. 

What Casting Directors Actually Say #

Professional casting directors are clear about this topic. They do not use Starmeter rankings when casting actors.

Amy Jo Berman worked as Vice President of Casting at HBO for 14 years. She tells actors to ignore the Starmeter completely. She says casting decisions are never based on this number. 

The Casting Director's Cut, a professional casting company, published eight reasons why Starmeter rankings do not matter. They wrote: "Even if your number is 1, we don't care. Even if your number is 4,170,210, we don't care." 

They gave a clear example. Two actors audition for the same role. Actor A ranks 400 on Starmeter but has weak audition materials. Actor B ranks 65,000 but shows strength, vulnerability, and range in their audition. Actor B gets the role every time.

Real Evidence From Working Actors #

Actor Cortney Palm shared her experience on her blog in 2015. Her birthday appeared on IMDb's homepage next to Rihanna. Her ranking jumped to number 62, placing her alongside Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves.

Did this high ranking get her auditions? No. She did not receive a single audition for two months, even with a top 100 ranking.

She knows actors who maintained Top 5,000 rankings for months. They booked zero jobs from those rankings. She also knows actors ranked 45,000 who work constantly. 

The Opposing View: Are There Exceptions? #

One service called My Casting Star claims that AI-driven casting tools now flag actors with strong Starmeter rankings. They say this makes actors more likely to get auditions.

However, no casting directors confirm this claim. Certainly, many real casting directors who work in the industry say the opposite.

Some sources mention that agents or producers might occasionally glance at rankings. But this is rare and never the deciding factor in casting decisions.

What Casting Directors Actually Look At #

When casting directors review actors, they focus on specific things. Your Starmeter ranking is not one of them.

They check out your IMDb page and see what credits you have and they review your previous work and experience.

But more importantly, they look at your acting talent and skill level. They watch how well you audition for their specific project.

They consider whether you fit the character physically and emotionally. They check your training background. They ask about your professionalism and reliability on set.

Your ranking never appears in this process. As one casting director wrote: "If we're on IMDb, it's to find contact info ... not to check their Starmeter." 

Why Do Rankings Change So Much? #

Your Starmeter number can jump dramatically from week to week. This happens when something brings temporary attention to your page.

A new movie release will spike the rankings of everyone in that film. A celebrity's death often puts them at number one. Being mentioned in news articles increases views.

These spikes are temporary. They measure online buzz, not career success. They definitely do not measure acting ability.

Should You Try to Boost Your Ranking? #

Many services offer to boost your Starmeter ranking for a fee. IMDb warns these are likely scams.

Some actors use services where actors click on each other's pages. IMDb works to detect and stop this manipulation.

But even if you could boost your ranking, it would not help your career. The people who hire actors do not check these numbers.

Where Should You Invest Your Time? #

Your time is valuable. Spend it on things that actually build your acting career.

Take regular acting classes to improve your skills. Work with different teachers and techniques. Build a strong portfolio with professional headshots and a quality demo reel.

Practice your audition technique constantly. Record yourself and study your performances. Network with other actors, directors, and industry professionals.

Focus on being professional and reliable. Show up on time, know your lines, and be easy to work with. These things get you hired repeatedly.

The Truth About IMDb Itself #

Having an IMDb profile matters. Having your credits listed correctly matters. These show you are a working professional.

Casting directors do look at IMDb profiles quickly. They check your credits to see your experience level. They look at your photos and read your bio.

But they skip right past your Starmeter number. They forget the ranking system even exists.

The Final Word #

Multiple casting directors from different countries all say the same thing. The IMDb Starmeter does not affect casting decisions.

You might enjoy seeing a high ranking. You might want to share it on social media. But do not spend money or time trying to improve this number.

Focus on your craft instead. Take classes, practice constantly, and network genuinely. Build real skills that show in your auditions.

That is what gets you cast. That is what builds a lasting acting career.