App Reviews

General (non-technical) Marketing and Monetization
#1

Are any of you having success getting app reviews? Over the past month I have had 1000 downloads of one of my apps and still 0 reviews. It is still sitting there with no rating which I am sure is hurting its sales. I made a pop-up that occurs after 4 times starting the app and in my analytics I see that sessions are by far outweighing the users, so it is not like it is only getting used once and then never again. Please let me know if there is any thing that works well for you.

On this note, I had a thought about setting up some sort of app review trade (I review yours and you review mine). I would just want to make sure that this did not fall under Apple’s ratings manipulation statement. I’m really only wanting to hit 5 reviews so that it no longer says “no ratings.”

Thanks,
Scott [import]uid: 79834 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 321599[/import]

#2

This is a good idea, as well as a cross promotion.

On my site http://www.DoubleSlashDesign.com I already have a section to start listing apps of others who will also cross promote mine.

What is your app and site?

Larry [import]uid: 11860 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 85675[/import]

#3

Does your pop-up actually link them to your page in the app store? I think anything you can do to ease that transition has got to be good. [import]uid: 65996 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 85694[/import]

#4

currently i don’t have any on the site, but when I do. I sure can add a link to your website and to the app store. bot a problem.

You’ll just have to do the same for me as well from your site.

Larry [import]uid: 11860 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 85696[/import]

#5

@simon.strange, the link does go directly to the App Store. I even bought my app to verify that nothing was wrong and the pop-up worked fine for me.

@doubleslashdesign, the app I am talking about is Kids Trucks: Numbers & Counting. It has gotten no reviews on iTunes App Store, Amazon, Android Market, and Nook; however, it is selling pretty well on each, excluding the Android Market, which I need to make a free version with ads at some point.

[import]uid: 79834 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 85706[/import]

#6

I’ve had success with ratings in one app - I did a pop up every game over screen and when they clicked “yes” to rate, I save that info and stop showing it.

They can still click it and not rate but yeah, it’s worked well.

Just my 2 cents. [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 85756[/import]

#7

Do you know about how many ratings you have received with that app?
Larry [import]uid: 11860 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 85796[/import]

#8

Scott are you American? Keep in mind that you need 5 reviews in each country to show the review.

I’m putting out an update shortly and I’ll be trying something new for reviews. I have 3 stars in each level but I’ll put a link to the review page which will unlock 1 star. The star will unlock as soon as they are sent to the review page so they will get it regardless of if they actually leave a review, however I’ve read that many people actually do leave a review. Perhaps you could do something similar and unlock new content in the same manner? [import]uid: 31262 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 85803[/import]

#9

I’m sure there’s a better way out there somewhere, but I’m running the Mac App AppViz 2, which connects to iTunes connect and downloads all reviews from every region, so I know how far away from the 5 review threshold I am in any given region. From my experience, star ratings count even if they’re submitted without a written review, so its possible to reach five ratings and only have three reviews (which was what happened in my case). To get reviews, I watched responses of people who said they got the game when my friends and family shared the link on Facebook. I’d send a private message thanking them for checking out my game, and invite them to leave a review, so that’s helped me get a few reviews despite lagging overall sales. Sadly, having five 5-star reviews in the US didn’t really increase my sales, but it makes me feel better not seeing that “Not enough ratings” message anyway. [import]uid: 14598 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 87380[/import]

#10

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. So is it legit to have content unlock when someone rates your app (or at least when they click to rate it) or is this ratings manipulation?

Also, it would be awesome if someone setup an international app rating trade system.

Scott [import]uid: 79834 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 87767[/import]

#11

Hi all I run the App review site Gametrender, through my site connections I’m able to get at least four app reviews for your app if app promo codes are provided. I speak directly to the users who get the promos so can guarantee that they will review your app. I also have collaborated with a school in the US and occassionally send their kids app promos for dual promotion (only apps suitable for grade 6 and below, if you want the pupils to review your apps please! Reviews here are a bit hit and miss though as I don’t speak to the kids directly-they only have my request via their teacher to review the apps-however the class I collaborate with has 20 kids so a chance for multiple reviews). Please feel free to contact me if you need your app reviewed http://gametrender.net [import]uid: 128215 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 89053[/import]

#12

According to Apple its ratings manipulation and my app was rejected until it was removed. [import]uid: 84258 topic_id: 21599 reply_id: 91718[/import]