App Ratings

What are App Ratings?

App Ratings (App Star Ratings) references the total star average from App reviewers, from zero to five. App Star ratings together with the App Reviews are all very important ranking factors in both the iOS App Store & Google Play Store.

When browsing or searching for apps, app ratings are the first contact potential users have with your product aside from the name and app icon.

Why App Ratings Are Important for ASO？

ASO, similar to search engine optimization for websites, is the process of optimizing mobile app pages to achieve a higher ranking in app store search results and top charts. One of the components the app stores use to rank search results and organic discovery features is app ratings and reviews. 

Your potential users have an abundance of options and since we are still social creatures, most of us turn to app ratings before deciding to download. Standing out in a competitive crowd with positive social proof is the most obvious reason to prioritize app ratings.

In short, app ratings signal user value to the app stores, representing a core trust area for users. Volume, freshness, and type of rating are considered, which is why you need to establish a framework for generating ratings on a regular basis, replying to users, and engaging with new reviews.

App ratings paired with established ASO techniques are integral to increasing organic visibility both within app stores and outside.

App Rating Strategies to Boost Ratings, Reviews, & Rankings

1. UX First, Then U-Ask
2. Make It Easy to Review
3. Try Other Channels

1) UX First, Then U-Ask 

Ever had a waiter ask how your dinner is while you’re still in the middle of your first bite? There’s nothing worse than an app that asks for a review right when you open it. 

This is an unfortunate mistake that far too many apps make, leading to poor UX and less likelihood for a review because the app is interrupting the normal user flow. In fact, doing so is 50% more likely to cause the app to be closed than if you ask at a different time.3 

Don’t bother a user when they’re in the middle of something important. 

Instead, initiate the prompt after a positive user experience, like a successful transaction or a liked post. Prompting a review when users are feeling good about the app makes it a win-win situation. 

2) Make It Easy to Review

Long gone are the days when users had to review apps solely through the app store. It’s no longer necessary to hunt down an app, create an account in the app store, and write a review. 

Instead, you can request a review inside the app itself. Users can then tap the number of stars inside a pop-up, making it far easier. Plus, they can be prompted to leave a detailed review, so those who want to take app ratings to the next step can do so. 

Users are more likely to write a review once they’ve already put in the effort to choose a rating.   

3) Try Other Channels

In-app is, without a doubt, the most efficient way to collect ratings and reviews, but that doesn’t negate other options. Try including requests through the following channels:

Contests

While this requires you to manually oversee the entire process, contests are a great way to motivate people to rate your app. Reviewers can leave their Apple ID or Google Play usernames as replies within your thread where you can select a winner at random. 

Website

Encourage people to download and rate your app on your website. This is especially effective with new apps that need a little love. 

Social media

You’ve likely considered using social media influencers to drive awareness for your app, especially during the initial launch. Likewise, influencers are a great way to help you run contests or use your social media platforms to encourage people to try and rate your app. 

Transactional emails

Those post-transaction confirmation emails are another great place to prompt users to rate your app (and incentivize referrals). Soliciting feedback can be as simple as asking for a review by directing users to your app in the app store. Alternatively, you may want to send these email requests after a customer has received an order.