2 Suggestions to Improve App Store Reviews

[voxnj]

IMHO, the usefulness of App Store reviews vary widely. Many appear to be rants by people who don't own or haven't actually used the App. Other reviews cite problems that may have been fixed through subsequent App updates. So here are two suggestions to Apple. Neither involves censorship nor editorial oversight. Both can be automatically created by Apple (with no manipulation by posters).

1. Add date/time to the review (fixes out of date reviews of subsequently revised apps)

2. Add an indicator that shows whether the reviewer has downloaded the App.

Let the forum know if you agree.

 

[DeaconGraves]

Not sure how useful #1 will be, as it would require a lot of cross-referencing for the reader to determine when the last version update was compared to the review. Plus, someone could easily write a review oblivious that an update was released an hour earlier. Perhaps instead of date/time Apple could provide what version the review relates to (a la Amazon), although that still presents the problem of the reader not realizing a new version is out.

#2's fine. As long as Apple doesn't censor reviews (barring offensive material) from reviewers who haven't downloaded.

 

[sunfast]

Seems like a good idea. Best of all would be if trial versions were possible however.

 

[jaseone]

#2's fine. As long as Apple doesn't censor reviews (barring offensive material) from reviewers who haven't downloaded.

Why would allowing only users that have downloaded/purchased the app to make reviews be a bad thing? The App store isn't like the Music store where you can purchase the items elsewhere so if you haven't downloaded/purchased the app in the app store then in my opinion you have no business writing a review for the app.

 

[DeaconGraves]

Why would allowing only users that have downloaded/purchased the app to make reviews be a bad thing? The App store isn't like the Music store where you can purchase the items elsewhere so if you haven't downloaded/purchased the app in the app store then in my opinion you have no business writing a review for the app.

I can use the program on a friend's phone.

 

[Small White Car]

Why would allowing only users that have downloaded/purchased the app to make reviews be a bad thing? The App store isn't like the Music store where you can purchase the items elsewhere so if you haven't downloaded/purchased the app in the app store then in my opinion you have no business writing a review for the app.

So you're about to buy the $0.99 Flashlight app and you see a review that says "Why woldn't you buy the free Flashlight app that does more than this one?"

You're telling me you find NO VALUE to that statement? You'd just rather not see it at all?

I'm afraid I don't believe you there.

 

[jaseone]

So you're about to buy the $0.99 Flashlight app and you see a review that says "Why woldn't you buy the free Flashlight app that does more than this one?"

You're telling me you find NO VALUE to that statement? You'd just rather not see it at all?

I'm afraid I don't believe you there.

How do you know with absolute certainty that the paid version of the app doesn't do more than the free one without actually using the paid version?

 

[Small White Car]

How do you know with absolute certainty that the paid version of the app doesn't do more than the free one without actually using the paid version?

Well, they both list what they do in the store description page. So it's pretty easy to compare the two lists.

I suppose one of them could be lying, but I haven't come across an example of that yet.

 

[Darth.Titan]

I too have read reviews and thought of two changes that would make them more useful.
1. (As previously stated) You can't review unless you've actually downloaded the app.
2. Any review mentioning jailbreaking or Installer should be filtered out. I don't care if it "used to be free on Installer and now they want $4.99?!? OMFG!!"
If it's a handy or fun app I have no problem paying for it. I don't need idiots telling me I'm stupid to support the programmers of a useful app just because they used to offer it free before the SDK.

Agreed that some way to demo paid apps would be nice though. I'm sure they'll figure out a way to do it eventually.