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iOS 11 Requires Developers to Use Apple's New In-App Ratings API, Lets Users Turn Them Off Completely

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Earlier this year, Apple announced a few App Store review policy changes, which included the reveal of an official API for in-app review and rating requests that developers had the option to put in their apps beginning with iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4. Additionally, Apple limited how often app developers can push out such prompts to just three times each year.

Today, 9to5Mac spotted a new section in the App Store Review Guidelines, pointing towards the launch of the new policy changes coming to iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra this fall. Specifically, in section 1.1.7 of the App Store Review guidelines, Apple states that it will "disallow custom review prompts" in all apps on the App Store.

app-store-in-app-prompt.jpg
Image via 9to5Mac​
The update also allows developers to respond to customer reviews for the first time.
1.1.7 App Store Reviews:
- App Store customer reviews can be an integral part of the app experience, so you should treat customers with respect when responding to their comments. Keep your responses targeted to the user's comments and do not include personal information, spam, or marketing in your response.
- Use the provided API to prompt users to review your app; this functionality allows customers to provide an App Store rating and review without the inconvenience of leaving your app, and we will disallow custom review prompts.
Click to expand...
The new user interface includes the App Store's traditional 5-star rating system in a pop-up box, allowing users to enter their opinion of the app without needing to leave it and visit the App Store to submit a review, as was previously the case. In addition to Apple limiting these pop-up boxes to only appear three times per year, if a user actually submits a review for the app, the developer can never request an in-app pop-up review from that user again.

new-app-store-ios-11.jpg
The new App Store in iOS 11​


Adding to the strain on in-app review prompts, users can now also turn off these requests completely with a new "In-App Ratings & Reviews" toggle found in the iTunes and App Store section of Settings on iOS 11.

When the updates take full effect, it means that developers won't be able to ask a user for another review of an app after the same user submits a rating using Apple's in-app prompt, even if the app has recently received a huge update. On the plus side, star ratings can now carry over across updates -- if the developer chooses -- so that the App Store rating system is a true overall aggregate of an app and not just user opinions on the app's current iteration.

Article Link: iOS 11 Requires Developers to Use Apple's New In-App Ratings API, Lets Users Turn Them Off Completely
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/09/ios-11-in-app-ratings/
Thank goodness. I hate it when an app takes you out of the experience by trying to nudge you into the App Store. Maybe I'll actually rate apps now that I don't have to leave the app to do it.
 
I liked the separation of reviews by major upgrade. That made it easy to see if a developer somehow messed up the app. One app I used a lot got a complete UI overhaul which ruined the previous workflow and resulted in a lot of 1 star reviews. The author brought back the old UI and the 1 stars went back to five since it was a great app once the poorly thought out UI change was rescinded.

The new system means:

1. Apps with lots of reviews that undergo significant changes that users don't like will still have nearly 5 stars simply from sheer numbers; unless Apple weights newer reviews more heavily.

2. Developers of new apps, who fix serious problems with an update will still be poorly rated due to a previous version.

Given that people most likely simply look at stars when deciding at what apps to look closer this skews what they see.
 
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jlc1978 said:
I liked the separation of reviews by major upgrade. That made it easy to see if a developer somehow messed up the app. One app I used a lot got a complete UI overhaul which ruined the previous workflow and resulted in a lot of 1 star reviews. The author brought back the old UI and the 1 stars went back to five since it was a great app once the poorly thought out UI change was rescinded.

The new system means:

1. Apps with lots of reviews that undergo significant changes that users don't like will still have nearly 5 stars simply from sheer numbers; unless Apple weights newer reviews more heavily.

2. Developers of new apps, who fix serious problems with an update will still be poorly rated due to a previous version.

Given that people most likely simply look at stars when deciding at what apps to look closer this skews what they see.
Click to expand...

Not sure how to mitigate the former but as for the latter, Apple will allow developers to choose to reset app ratings when they release an update. At least from what I've read on the subject so far.
 
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M_Json said:
Tinder is one of those apps which keeps asking me to give it a positive review. I just want to swipe through all the girls without being disturbed..
Click to expand...

I never understood why Tinder slams its users with that "Review Us!" Pop up daily. Their reviews are mostly negative, seem to get worse with each update, and annoying the hell out of your users only increases the chances that they'll leave a bad review.

Anyway, this is a welcome change.
 
MacRumors said:
On the plus side, star ratings can now carry over across updates -- if the developer chooses -- so that the App Store rating system is a true overall aggregate of an app and not just user opinions on the app's current iteration.
Click to expand...
I was worried about it being a little draconian until this bit. That does help.
 
MacRumors said:

... if a user actually submits a review for the app, the developer can never request an in-app pop-up review from that user again.
Click to expand...
Yeeeeesssssss!
[doublepost=1497033865][/doublepost]
jarman92 said:
Not sure how to mitigate the former but as for the latter, Apple will allow developers to choose to reset app ratings when they release an update. At least from what I've read on the subject so far.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what Phill Schiller said on The Talk Show podcast (John Gruber). It was something to the effect of "developers have the option of resetting ratings on a release if they want to." He preceded that statement with a story on thinking it was dumb in its current reset every release implementation as it can screw the reviews up. They do listen to valid complaints.
 
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I like on the Zillow app, it says "Are you enjoying zillow? Yes/No, but either choice takes you to rate the app. Much needed change here!
 
QuarterSwede said:
Yeeeeesssssss!
[doublepost=1497033865][/doublepost]
That's exactly what Phill Schiller said on The Talk Show podcast (John Gruber). It was something to the effect of "developers have the option of resetting ratings on a release if they want to." He preceded that statement with a story on thinking it was dumb in its current reset every release implementation as it can screw the reviews up. They do listen to valid complaints.
Click to expand...
I'm sure Facebook and others will reset every release like before since reviews are always low.


Suuuuper happy to have a way to turn off these nags. Now just let me turn off the app redirects for Yelp/Pinterest/etc. and I'm good.
 
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I hope this means that devs can no longer ask you to rate it depending on if you like it or not. Right until now, every dev uses this shady technique to let users fill their spam inbox in order to filter out bad reviews.
 
There have been lots of small new features (limiting location tracking, AirPods with Apple TV, autoplay video blocking in Safari, etc...) that are really going to improve quality of life in Apple ecosystem coming out of WWDC this year. I'm really looking forward to these releases.
 
Brien said:
I'm sure Facebook and others will reset every release like before since reviews are always low.


Suuuuper happy to have a way to turn off these nags. Now just let me turn off the app redirects for Yelp/Pinterest/etc. and I'm good.
Click to expand...
I've never don't it but from what I understand if you get redirected to the app you can tap on the right, it'll have the app name where the battery usually is. That should take you back to the web site and not redirect you again.
 
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