Game theory applies. If everybody stopped doing this then sure. As things stand ratings/likes/points are a signal to the aggregators that a thing is popular and useful.
Note that on iOS asking for reviews otherwise than through the system dialog is basically forbidden (rule 5.6.1). This method does not allow spamming the user as the dialog can only be shown a number of times during a period of time.
Re:Stop Asking Me to “Sign Up” (2014)
by freeone3000 on Saturday September 26, 2020 @02:49PM
(#24601190)
Then the correct game-theoretic action to make this behaviour stop is to leave a 1-star review on any app that asks.
Maybe. But I don’t really mind as a user as long as they use the system dialog. And I use it as a developer myself.
Re:Stop Asking Me to “Sign Up” (2014)
by GekkePrutser on Saturday September 26, 2020 @02:30PM
(#24601007)
I think Apple already does block apps that keep fishing for reviews. But I haven't used iOS in a while. Google's validation process isn't that deep so they will usually miss this.
But yes I agree, it is so annoying. Especially in paid apps. I already paid for the app so obviously I like it.
Not really unless it is spamming users. Apple have an API for sending "yes I like your app" to give a rating and give "no I hate it" a feedback form. On the Play store it is "gaming the system". In the App store it is "working as intended".
It would be hilariously ironic if this turned out to be /u/Nextgrid's most highly upvoted post
The primary purpose of the app is to do whatever the app is supposed to do, so unless the app's only purpose is to ask for feedback then asking for feedback (especially in the middle of a task) is disruptive and annoying.
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Furthermore I think asking for reviews should be banned by the App Store (whether Google's or Apple's) guidelines as to put every app on the same playing field. Reviews are best when they come organically instead of being gamed by nagging the user (and a lot of people will just respond randomly with a 5-star just so it gets out of their way).
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This relatively recent (10 years ago this didn't seem like a widespread thing) trend of constantly asking for feedback or similar ("SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON!") is extremely annoying and I wish all platforms would take steps to penalize this behavior given how annoying it is (as you can probably see right here). It's even worse when it's about a product that has already lots of publicized complaints that remain ignored for years (looking at Windows 10 or similar Microsoft products).