I provide a free game with no monetization and if they play more than an hour I ask if they would like to rate it. That's the only payment I get beyond donations. How is that unreasonable and worth giving me a 1 star for?
There are a few patterns here I didn’t dive into in my original comment above.
1. I don’t use a lot of apps. I prefer web for most things. It turns out the apps I do download are from bigger companies (YouTube, Netflix). It’s annoying to be nagged by these companies. I already pay them $x/mo and now they’re asking more from me? Please leave me alone.
2. Many apps are first asking if I like it THEN prompt me to review if I say yes. It is my understanding that this is against the rules for the Apple App Store. If it’s not it should be. That’s shady behavior. It’s so common that I’ve been conditioned to not even believe that the first prompt is even real. I feel like I’m literally being Phished for reviews here. I don’t like it.
So yes, I’m to the point where I assume all nag-ware is employing some manipulative dark pattern and I default to 1-star review. Yes I will one star review some apps that don’t deserve it. But at this point those developers are playing in the same sandbox as all the bullies and I can’t tell them apart anymore. I have to protect myself. I don’t have the mental energy to try and distinguish between the good guys and bad guys anymore.
It is my opinion that Indie developers need to find a better way to market themselves. The water has been poisoned on reviews.
Sorry if you disagree with me. But that’s where I’m at now.
> 1. I don’t use a lot of apps. I prefer web for most things. It turns out the apps I do download are from bigger companies (YouTube, Netflix).
I think you're just lucky. Or maybe my friends and I are just cursed. I get asked to rate everything. My doctor's office sends me an email to rate them on the web after every single visit. If I go in for a follow-up a week later, I get 2 emails asking for ratings - one for the initial visit and one for the follow-up. My dog's vet asks for a rating. I get a pizza delivered, they want a rating. It's too much. I definitely never rate an app that asks me to for the reasons you've said. It's all very scammy and I'm conditioned now. Sucks for the honest guys, but c'est la vie.
Well, out of hundreds of reviews I haven't received a single 1-star yet. I think you're exaggerating that the whole ecosystem of reviews has been poisoned. Maybe it's my specific audience but most reviews are great and sincere.
Fwiw, I'm not asking if they like it first. I ask them to write an honest review if they want, and that it helps support the game.
I'm just surprised this small thing is controversial considering how hard I've worked on being transparent and avoid dark patterns.
1. I don’t use a lot of apps. I prefer web for most things. It turns out the apps I do download are from bigger companies (YouTube, Netflix). It’s annoying to be nagged by these companies. I already pay them $x/mo and now they’re asking more from me? Please leave me alone.
2. Many apps are first asking if I like it THEN prompt me to review if I say yes. It is my understanding that this is against the rules for the Apple App Store. If it’s not it should be. That’s shady behavior. It’s so common that I’ve been conditioned to not even believe that the first prompt is even real. I feel like I’m literally being Phished for reviews here. I don’t like it.
So yes, I’m to the point where I assume all nag-ware is employing some manipulative dark pattern and I default to 1-star review. Yes I will one star review some apps that don’t deserve it. But at this point those developers are playing in the same sandbox as all the bullies and I can’t tell them apart anymore. I have to protect myself. I don’t have the mental energy to try and distinguish between the good guys and bad guys anymore.
It is my opinion that Indie developers need to find a better way to market themselves. The water has been poisoned on reviews.
Sorry if you disagree with me. But that’s where I’m at now.