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scottyahtoday at 4:00 PM4 repliesview on HN

The exact opposite, really. You live or die by app store ratings. Too many ratings are bogus (don't accurately describe the app's functionality, just some random feeling the user has in the moment). Either the App Store should take on more burden to ensure ratings are accurate (perhaps criteria? disincentivize false ratings?), or eliminate/downplay the system.

There are already commenters proudly declaring they abuse the system because there is just no incentives not to.


Replies

Grombobuloustoday at 4:08 PM

Or maybe you don’t live or die by ratings.

The #140th most popular free app, StudentVUE, has an abysmal 2.1 star rating.

The app for my soundbar has a 1.8 star rating.

The app that my favorite karaoke bar uses to sign up has a 2.3 star rating.

Whether you live or die by App Store ratings depends on your chosen business model.

ezfetoday at 4:06 PM

People I know have confirmed that using the built in rating prompt system yields a high volume of 5 star ratings

tredre3today at 4:15 PM

> just some random feeling the user has in the moment

That is the risk you take when you spam the user with popups begging for a review after a specific action. If the user isn't satisfied with the result or the popup disrupt their flow, they will (rightfully) be in a bad mood when they review your app.

tensortoday at 4:07 PM

The one star nag review is accurate to me. As a potential user, I know not to buy the app. I despise ads and nag screens are in the same boat.

Just because you don't like the value system of your users doesn't mean you get to call them false or fake. Good product managers LISTEN to their users. You clearly are not willing to do that, despite the now overwhelming validation of your users complaints you are receiving.

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