Discussion: Offering free IAP to people who post a good review

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

So came up with a “marketing plan” that I wanted to run by other developers and see if (1) anyone had actually done this before and how it worked out, and (2) if anyone is aware of any reasons not to do it, like Apple forwns on it or something.

The idea is that the app tells customers if they really liked the app, would they mind submitting a review for it in the appropriate store.  And as a thank you for submitting a good review to the store, that they can download an exclusive in-app purchase.  Sort of like how game developers offer exclusive content to Gamestop customers by having DLC content just for them.

I think it would be not so hard to implement.  I’d probably need to have it be a free IAP in the stores, but have the app verify that they are entitled to it by having them enter a code or something that I provide to them when they let me know that they submitted a review.  Or do the app stores offer codes for IAP purchases?

The goal is to get people to post some reviews in so that the app doesn’t look bare in the app stores.

Is this frowned upon by anyone?  I am not trying to buy good reviews.  It would be phrased that if you do like the app, we’d really appreciate a good review, and we have a thank you for you if you do.

Just curious to what people think.  And especially if people have done it before.

#2

as a thank you for submitting a good review to the store, that they can download an exclusive in-app purchase. 

This part is what is going to get you in trouble. Countless companies have engaged in this practice, and it has never turned out well. At best, you get an extra 10 “good” reviews that may or may not sway a random user to buy your app at the expense of your good name. At worst, you’ll be called an astroturfer and get torn apart on any number of forums. 

Now, I realize that my response could be considered as extreme. But when you’re incentivizing users to leave good reviews, you will be seen as penalizing users who leave not so good reviews. There is a very definitive line between a nag screen asking for 5 stars, and a promotion providing a gift for potentially falsifying an opinion.

Again, I realize it seems I’m flying off the handle, but if you’re working hard to make a quality app, it should be able to stand on it’s own. I’m not trying to vilify you for suggesting this, but I wanted to make sure my point of view was stated clearly.

#3

Totally agree with you on the fake review thing, but I think one big difference is that these would not be fake reviews.  Someone would not be in their home cranking them out and getting paid for it.

It would be people who actually bought the app and play the app.  The “payment,” if you will, will only benefit someone who likes playing the app.  So it’s not targeting people to crank out a good review to get paid.  It’s encouraging people who are going to keep playing the app to share their experience and get something for the game as a benefit for doing it.

There is definitely a line, but the only reason I was thinking about this was because I do not believe that we would be crossing it.

I have no problem with giving out the code to anyone who posts a review – good or bad – which I guess would further make it seem fair.  But who wants to encourage people to leave a bad review?   :slight_smile:

#4

I don’t want to monopolize this conversation, so I just want to say this. If you’re saying you would provide the “incentive” to ANYONE who left a review, then you’re moving in the right direction. After the brewing controversy of users leaving 1-star reviews so that those reviews will be seen, I realize that, now more than ever, devs want to ensure that good reviews are left. However, I am way more likely to consider an app that had a bad review left for it, and the dev responded to that bad review and provided some feedback to consider regarding the bugs fixed, or choices made to leave the app the way it was. ::steps off soapbox::

#5

I didn’t know that developers could respond to reviews.  What stores is that functionality available in?

And I set this thread up to be more of a discussion, so I do appreciate your comments a lot.

#6

To me it looks like Share on Facebook and we will give you a xx% discount, nothing shady imo. You can still offer the incentive to anyone who leaves a review, i dont think anyone who doesnt like the app would be interested in the IAP anyway.

Good luck with your app

#7

Sleeping on this thread and re-reading my comments, I kinda feel I was a bit harsh. I was trying to say that this gesture might be interpreted in a manner not intended. To me, the juice wouldn’t be worth the squeeze. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you had any nefarious machinations, and I hope you didn’t tale or that way.

BTW here’s the link to replying to reviews:

http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2013/05/all-google-play-developers-can-now.html?m=1

#8

I didn’t take it that way.  Again, it was just to get a discussion started because this sounded like a topic that would benefit from a discussion among developers to go through the pros and cons of doing it.

Thanks for the information on the Google Play feature.  Wish they had it for all the appstores.  That would be very cool!

#9

atanas,

Thanks for your feedback.  Sounds like you were thinking along the same lines as me.

#10

as a thank you for submitting a good review to the store, that they can download an exclusive in-app purchase. 

This part is what is going to get you in trouble. Countless companies have engaged in this practice, and it has never turned out well. At best, you get an extra 10 “good” reviews that may or may not sway a random user to buy your app at the expense of your good name. At worst, you’ll be called an astroturfer and get torn apart on any number of forums. 

Now, I realize that my response could be considered as extreme. But when you’re incentivizing users to leave good reviews, you will be seen as penalizing users who leave not so good reviews. There is a very definitive line between a nag screen asking for 5 stars, and a promotion providing a gift for potentially falsifying an opinion.

Again, I realize it seems I’m flying off the handle, but if you’re working hard to make a quality app, it should be able to stand on it’s own. I’m not trying to vilify you for suggesting this, but I wanted to make sure my point of view was stated clearly.

#11

Totally agree with you on the fake review thing, but I think one big difference is that these would not be fake reviews.  Someone would not be in their home cranking them out and getting paid for it.

It would be people who actually bought the app and play the app.  The “payment,” if you will, will only benefit someone who likes playing the app.  So it’s not targeting people to crank out a good review to get paid.  It’s encouraging people who are going to keep playing the app to share their experience and get something for the game as a benefit for doing it.

There is definitely a line, but the only reason I was thinking about this was because I do not believe that we would be crossing it.

I have no problem with giving out the code to anyone who posts a review – good or bad – which I guess would further make it seem fair.  But who wants to encourage people to leave a bad review?   :slight_smile:

#12

I don’t want to monopolize this conversation, so I just want to say this. If you’re saying you would provide the “incentive” to ANYONE who left a review, then you’re moving in the right direction. After the brewing controversy of users leaving 1-star reviews so that those reviews will be seen, I realize that, now more than ever, devs want to ensure that good reviews are left. However, I am way more likely to consider an app that had a bad review left for it, and the dev responded to that bad review and provided some feedback to consider regarding the bugs fixed, or choices made to leave the app the way it was. ::steps off soapbox::

#13

I didn’t know that developers could respond to reviews.  What stores is that functionality available in?

And I set this thread up to be more of a discussion, so I do appreciate your comments a lot.

#14

To me it looks like Share on Facebook and we will give you a xx% discount, nothing shady imo. You can still offer the incentive to anyone who leaves a review, i dont think anyone who doesnt like the app would be interested in the IAP anyway.

Good luck with your app

#15

Sleeping on this thread and re-reading my comments, I kinda feel I was a bit harsh. I was trying to say that this gesture might be interpreted in a manner not intended. To me, the juice wouldn’t be worth the squeeze. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you had any nefarious machinations, and I hope you didn’t tale or that way.

BTW here’s the link to replying to reviews:

http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2013/05/all-google-play-developers-can-now.html?m=1

#16

I didn’t take it that way.  Again, it was just to get a discussion started because this sounded like a topic that would benefit from a discussion among developers to go through the pros and cons of doing it.

Thanks for the information on the Google Play feature.  Wish they had it for all the appstores.  That would be very cool!

#17

atanas,

Thanks for your feedback.  Sounds like you were thinking along the same lines as me.