Apple Removes Old Non-Customer Reviews from App Store

[MacRumors]

When Apple first opened the App Store back in July 2008, their review system allowed anyone to enter a comment or review on any application. No purchase was required at that time. As a result, many critical "reviews" came from those who had never bought those applications. Developers, of course, were particularly unhappy with this system which brought down the average score for almost all paid applications.

In September, however, Apple instituted a new rule in which customers could only leave reviews on applications they had actually purchased and downloaded. Existing "reviews" from these non-customers, however, remained in place.

That is, until yesterday. It appears that Apple has removed these early non-customer reviews. Several long standing apps have seen dramatic decreases in their review counts. SEGA's Super Monkey Ball count dropped from 4197 reviews down to 3710 while Namco's Pac Man dropped from 395 to 122. MacRumors forum users have noted that it has been these specific non-customer reviews have been targeted and removed.

Article Link: Apple Removes Old Non-Customer Reviews from App Store

[DJAKO]

Along with the removing the reviews, has anyone seen the average rating gone up or down?

[arn]

Originally Posted by DJAKO

Along with the removing the reviews, has anyone seen the average rating gone up or down?

Not that I could tell. Average reviews seem the same comparing now to about a week ago, but that might mean that Apple was already disregarding those reviews in the average calculation for a longer period of time.

arn

[Trajectory]

I've also seen 1-star reviews that start with "This is the BEST app I ever got!!11!!11!!!"

I wish they'd do the same in the iTunes Store. You can't realistically review a song based a 30-second preview. Only those who buy the song or album should be able to rate them.

[lftrghtparadigm]

This is a huge positive step for developers. Non customer = no opinion. At least not one that should have any way to affect sales.

[AmbitiousLemon]

Originally Posted by Trajectory

I wish they'd do the same in the iTunes Store. You can't realistically review a song based a 30-second preview. Only those who buy the song or album should be able to rate them.

because it is impossible have heard the song somewhere else?

[Trajectory]

Originally Posted by AmbitiousLemon

because it is impossible have heard the song somewhere else?

True! But you could say the same for apps. Several friends have iPhones, so, I often ask if they got any cool new apps to show me. I can sometimes play around with an app without buying it.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by AmbitiousLemon

because it is impossible have heard the song somewhere else?

But to be fair, they are called "Customer Reviews"

[Gasu E.]

Originally Posted by AmbitiousLemon

because it is impossible have heard the song somewhere else?

Absolutely right. In the case of songs, most songs are probably bought by people who already know they like the song, because they heard it elsewhere. The ratings would be hopelesly skewed to the 4-5 range. I find the ratings slightly helpful now; if the ratings were restricted, they would be useless. Besides, I doubt the song "developers" are up in arms about the situation.

[Mykbibby]

Originally Posted by Trajectory

I've also seen 1-star reviews that start with "This is the BEST app I ever got!!11!!11!!!"

I wish they'd do the same in the iTunes Store. You can't realistically review a song based a 30-second preview. Only those who buy the song or album should be able to rate them.

Ya, I've wondered why so many people give great apps one star... they must think 1 is the best and 5 is the worst...

I totally agree with you about the songs as well.

[gceo]

Originally Posted by Trajectory

I've also seen 1-star reviews that start with "This is the BEST app I ever got!!11!!11!!!"

Yup. This is a much bigger problem than it seems. The default should be no stars, and not allowed to submit. In a hurry it's way too easy to select the default of 1 star, and really bring down the average, even if you love the app and wrote a favorable review.

[kastenbrust]

This is really good news, stops other developers constantly attacking your apps, which happens a lot

Now all Apple needs to do is sack the retard that accepts/deny's apps into the App store, then we'll be good to go. Come on, accepting an app of a shaking pair of a woman's anatomy, but rejecting an email backup app is just stupid.

[nitramwin]

Originally Posted by gceo

Yup. This is a much bigger problem than it seems. The default should be no stars, and not allowed to submit. In a hurry it's way too easy to select the default of 1 star, and really bring down the average, even if you love the app and wrote a favorable review.

- im with you 100% of the way here - GREAT idea!
now... if apple only listened to your voice

and while we've got there attention - give us an updated imac SOON!

[bretm]

Originally Posted by gceo

Yup. This is a much bigger problem than it seems. The default should be no stars, and not allowed to submit. In a hurry it's way too easy to select the default of 1 star, and really bring down the average, even if you love the app and wrote a favorable review.

The problem you suggest would statistically affect all applications and ratings the same and therefore, wouldn't be a problem.

[iMacZealot]

Originally Posted by Trajectory

I wish they'd do the same in the iTunes Store. You can't realistically review a song based a 30-second preview. Only those who buy the song or album should be able to rate them.

It's not even that, it's people giving 1-star ratings for albums just because they don't like the band for whatever reason. It's definitely obvious who actually listened to the album and who didn't when you're on the other side of the situation.

[milo]

Originally Posted by Trajectory

I wish they'd do the same in the iTunes Store. You can't realistically review a song based a 30-second preview. Only those who buy the song or album should be able to rate them.

Songs are different since you can buy the CD or hear the song a million times on the radio.

Makes sense to limit it for apps, but not really for songs (or movies and TV).

Originally Posted by jackfrost123

Bad move for customers, good move for apple as this will enable more positive reviews hence (possibly) more buyers, but for customers to limit the opinions for whatever reason is bad.

No, if someone who doesn't have the app reviews it, I don't even consider that an "opinion". I totally agree with eliminating ones from people who don't actually have it.[/quote]

Originally Posted by jackfrost123

DOES AMAZON FORCE YOU TO BUY A BOOK TO REVIEW IT?

Not comparable since you can buy a book elsewhere, which isn't the case with an iPhone app.

Originally Posted by jackfrost123

ASK YOURSELF WHAT REVIEWS ARE MOST HELPFULL, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE ONES? OF COURSE IT'S NEGATIVE. AND APPLE LIMITING THESE FOR WHATEVER REASON MEANS MORE $$$ SALES TO THE APP STORE FOR THEM LESS INSIGHT INTO THE APP. FOR US.

Neither. Most helpful is reviews from people who have used the app.

And you can quit shouting, it's annoying.

[Will_reed]

Originally Posted by Trajectory

I've also seen 1-star reviews that start with "This is the BEST app I ever got!!11!!11!!!"

I wish they'd do the same in the iTunes Store. You can't realistically review a song based a 30-second preview. Only those who buy the song or album should be able to rate them.

Not to mention the amount of people who review the price of the album instead of the album, that just drives me nuts.

I don't care if they don't want to pay $14 for Beowulf the soundtrack I want to see a REAL review.

[Gasu E.]

Originally Posted by Trajectory

I've also seen 1-star reviews that start with "This is the BEST app I ever got!!11!!11!!!"

I wish they'd do the same in the iTunes Store. You can't realistically review a song based a 30-second preview. Only those who buy the song or album should be able to rate them.

LOL, no system is perfect, given that idiots stride the earth. Perhaps we should allow people to dispute ratings and challenge them in a Court of Ratings Appeal. Then the Court could review each rating/comment combination and decide on "Reviewer Intent." Of course, I have in mind the US election resolution process, which as we know works incredibly well.

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by Trajectory

I've also seen 1-star reviews that start with "This is the BEST app I ever got!!11!!11!!!"

I wish they'd do the same in the iTunes Store. You can't realistically review a song based a 30-second preview. Only those who buy the song or album should be able to rate them.

No that's stupid because maybe I bought the CD in stores and want to review it on the iTunes store? I could get music and movies in many other places.
As for the apps, what Apple did is good because they're available in the App Store only.

[chr1s60]

Originally Posted by DJAKO

Along with the removing the reviews, has anyone seen the average rating gone up or down?

Don't forget that you don't necessarily have to write a review to provide a rating. You are always asked to give a rating when deleting an app and I am guessing a large number of users do this instead of actually writing a review.

[Eddyisgreat]

Win.

I'm so sick of seeing those 1 star "hey can this app do this" 'reviews' and ESPECIALLY the 1 star idiots who say "THIS APP IS TOO EXPENSIVE".

Good job apple, just a few months short.

[Highland]

Originally Posted by DJAKO

Along with the removing the reviews, has anyone seen the average rating gone up or down?

I'm fairly sure the ratings have changed too (they seem to for our apps).

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

Another thing I love is when people give an app a glowing review yet rate it one star. I have a couple of those on some of my apps.

Yeah, that's something that should be resolved soon. It's very easy to do by mistake.

[Schtumple]

Seems pretty fair, how can you write a review on an app you haven't used, I remember seeing a 1 star review for an app, that started with, "I haven't actually used this app but...", why are you reviewing something you haven't used?!

[iMaggot]

Originally Posted by Schtumple

Seems pretty fair, how can you write a review on an app you haven't used, I remember seeing a 1 star review for an app, that started with, "I haven't actually used this app but...", why are you reviewing something you haven't used?!

Yeah i agree, if you didn't buy the app then why leave a review, good move by Apple.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by Schtumple

Seems pretty fair, how can you write a review on an app you haven't used, I remember seeing a 1 star review for an app, that started with, "I haven't actually used this app but...", why are you reviewing something you haven't used?!

Agreed, this is a good thing.