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App Store Now Requires Developers To Use Official API To Request App Ratings, Disallows Custom Prompts (9to5mac.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the mandatory-requirements dept.

One of the new App Store policy changes made this week is the addition of section 1.1.7, which requires developers to use the official in-app rating UI added in iOS 10.3 and states that they "will disallow custom review prompts" going forward. 9to5Mac reports: When the new App Store rating API was introduced in the iOS 10.3 beta period at the start of the year, adoption was optional but Apple warned that it would eventually become mandatory. It seems that time has come. Here's the relevant addition to the App Store Review guidelines: "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." The language is pretty clear-cut, use the Apple API and stop using custom implementations. The change to the Apple API has some advantages and drawbacks for developers and users.

8 of 34 comments (clear)

  1. Impetus for change by Presence+Eternal · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This kind of thing is pretty much why my next phone will be an iphone (if it will fit in a proper case). Love my Note 4 to death, love Nova Launcher, but I'm flat out done with verizdroid. Since I have to pick my poison, I'll choose to be ripped off on the hardware but otherwise treated like an actual customer.

  2. GOOD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    I'm trying to get something done and I get a damn pop up. I don't want to rate your goddamn app. I want to finish my task and get back to real life.

    1. Re:GOOD by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 2

      The fix is for us to all start giving a rating like 'I would have given the App five stars, but it kept spamming me to rate it, so it gets one star.'

      If 10% of us did this, App developers would be *afraid* to pop up their spam prompt.

  3. Re:I don't use Apple products by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 2

    They got you to comment on one, so it served its purpose.

    --
    Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  4. serious question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Where is the "appy app troll apps! guy" when the article is actually about apps?

  5. Finally. A good change by thewolfkin · · Score: 3

    I don't even use apple products but this is a good idea. If you're gonna nag me at least give me a) a consistent experience and b) a way to do it without leaving the app. No more trying to decipher the UI to find the "Not Now" button.

    --
    Just another second banana
    1. Re:Finally. A good change by anss123 · · Score: 2

      EA had some popup in a game that was so hard to decipher that it was difficult to give it anything but five stars, and also gave you a reward if you did press that five star button. I think this is made to avoid that silliness.

      That said, app store/play store/windows store ratings have consistently been worthless. If an app is utter crap, it might get 4 1/2 stars. I don't know if this is because apps game the system, but the end result is the same, ratings means nothing.

      Amazon/Steam is better, but even there middling products gets "very positive" scores. It's kind off the opposite of what I'd expect, as people who dislike stuff tends to talk the loudest.

  6. Re:I don't use Apple products by Goaway · · Score: 2

    Congratulations! Here is a ribbon that says "I DID NOT USE POPULAR THING" that you can wear to show your pride!