App Store reviews from non-owners disappeared

mstream2008 · Feb 25, 2009, 10:56 PM

Back in the old days everyone could write a review. So many left a comment (often meaningless, silly question or whatever else) without purchasing/downloading an app.
Today I've just noticed the number of reviews for my game has dropped, browsing through them I noticed that it is the reviews from non-owners that disappeared.
Has anyone else noticed such a change?

Doctor Q · Feb 26, 2009, 12:05 PM

See App Store Changes in Reviews and Listings.

JWBlue · Feb 26, 2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

See App Store Changes in Reviews and Listings.

That post was made on

Monday September 29, 2008 11:50 AM EST; Category: iPhone

What am I missing here? That was over 5 months ago.

mstream2008 · Feb 26, 2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWBlue

That post was made on

Monday September 29, 2008 11:50 AM EST; Category: iPhone

What am I missing here? That was over 5 months ago.

Five months ago it was forbidden to post reviews about apps you did not own. But previous, 'non-owners' reviews (made before September 27th) still remained.

But I'm talking about REMOVAL of existing non-owner reviews. Today I've noticed that the number of reviews for many apps decreased, in some cases it is obvious that the reviews such as 'vote if I have to buy this' or 'this must be free' were removed.
It seems Apple started to remove 'fake non-owners' reviews. Has anyone noticed that too?

nottooshabby · Feb 26, 2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstream2008

Five months ago it was forbidden to post reviews about apps you did not own. But previous, 'non-owners' reviews (made before September 27th) still remained.

But I'm talking about REMOVAL of existing non-owner reviews. Today I've noticed that the number of reviews for many apps decreased, in some cases it is obvious that the reviews such as 'vote if I have to buy this' or 'this must be free' were removed.
It seems Apple started to remove 'fake non-owners' reviews. Has anyone noticed that too?

Yup, I noticed this too. A couple of my reviews disappeared, one being just a commentary and not even a review, so I'm glad to see it's gone!

JWBlue · Feb 26, 2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstream2008

Five months ago it was forbidden to post reviews about apps you did not own. But previous, 'non-owners' reviews (made before September 27th) still remained.

But I'm talking about REMOVAL of existing non-owner reviews. Today I've noticed that the number of reviews for many apps decreased, in some cases it is obvious that the reviews such as 'vote if I have to buy this' or 'this must be free' were removed.
It seems Apple started to remove 'fake non-owners' reviews. Has anyone noticed that too?

Yes, noticed that a few days ago with my apps as well. Over 20 reviews removed. Ridiculous.

I was wondering why Doctor Q posted a link that seem to have no relevance to your OP.

firewood · Feb 26, 2009, 02:24 PM

Yes. Apple appears to have cleaned out a whole bunch of old bad reviews from the U.S. store. The ones saying that apps should be 99c or free.

Did anyone lose a good review from an actual customer?

Doctor Q · Feb 26, 2009, 07:39 PM

This is indeed a new change by Apple. See Apple Removes Old Non-Customer Reviews from App Store.

Feb 25, 2009, 10:56 PM	#1
mstream2008 macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2008	App Store reviews from non-owners disappeared Back in the old days everyone could write a review. So many left a comment (often meaningless, silly question or whatever else) without purchasing/downloading an app. Today I've just noticed the number of reviews for my game has dropped, browsing through them I noticed that it is the reviews from non-owners that disappeared. Has anyone else noticed such a change? __________________ Meteor game for iPhone and iPod Touch USB/Bluetooth modem - tether your smartphone to Mac/Linux/Win

Feb 26, 2009, 12:05 PM	#2
Doctor Q macrumors god Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: at the table with countless relatives	See App Store Changes in Reviews and Listings. __________________ "You've just been abducted, of course you need crepes!" -- Walter Bishop

Feb 26, 2009, 07:39 PM	#8
Doctor Q macrumors god Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: at the table with countless relatives	This is indeed a new change by Apple. See Apple Removes Old Non-Customer Reviews from App Store. __________________ "You've just been abducted, of course you need crepes!" -- Walter Bishop

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Feb 26, 2009, 02:24 PM	#7
firewood macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2003	Yes. Apple appears to have cleaned out a whole bunch of old bad reviews from the U.S. store. The ones saying that apps should be 99c or free. Did anyone lose a good review from an actual customer?