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Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

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Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#71

Post by fudged71 »

ibrahima wrote: post #54
hayksaakian wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's probably the biggest example I can think of where Apple really shows that they are unquestionably not Google. I think you give Google too much credit. The Play store is about as abysmal, sans the OS-tied updates. (Search, lists, SEO, etc. are BAD).

Eh, I just got an iPad for my mom, after owning several Android phones and tablets, and my sister used to use an iPod touch as well. We both agreed that the App Store is a piece of trash. It's slow, confusing to navigate around, and doesn't auto update your apps (I think I heard that's coming in iOS7?). It looks the same as it did on my sister's old 2G iPod touch. Meanwhile, the Play Store search and navigation used…

Plus they've now got that single sign-in feature which does make the installing process better. And you can download apps from the browser, rather than iTunes, meaning you can use any computer.

Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#72

Post by Aloisius »

The rich get richer: everyone who downloads an app by browsing the “top” list reinforces or increases the rank of the apps already on it, entrenching their positions and reducing the visibility of anything below the first few pages.

Can't you fix this by simply excluding installs that happened via the top list from counting towards the top list? If you install it via search or someone's website or even Apple's editorial area, it counts, otherwise, it shouldn't.

Seems like a straightforward way to get rid of the feedback loop.

(everyone should probably do this for top lists, "people who viewed this viewed that" systems and probably even some recommender systems)

Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#73

Post by peterkelly »

fudged71 wrote: post #70
tolmasky wrote: post #44

Here's an idea: show me the top lists without the apps I already own! Why do I need to see Mountain Lion at the top of the App Store constantly in the #1 position? Just so I can know how little Mac Software gets sold and completely dissuade me from ever considering writing Mac software again? EIGHT of the top 10 apps are Apple apps. Most of which people probably already own (I happen to own all of them). Is this the…

Developers in particular like to know what spot on the charts their app got to. By not filtering the results everyone has a definitive view of the placement of these apps. So they should filter the top list like you mention, but show a definitive list online.

This could be provided as a separate option on iTunes connect. If it was purely to cater for developers it doesn't need to be in the main app store interface.

Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#74

Post by hobs »

pflats wrote: post #9

I'd argue that the biggest issue is simply that the App Store interface is terrible, and that results load far too slowly. The prominence of the Top List is only a symptom of that. Suppose you were at at a new bookstore, and each table of books was in its own little room, each isolated from the next. Once you think you want something, you have to unlock the book's acrylic case to take it out and read the dust jacket.…

Its because it is this hell: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebObjects

Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#76

Post by evilduck »

schrodinger wrote: post #57
Kylekramer wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OK? And for Apple, iOS is a means to end: to get people using their services and get their money alongside getting their money upfront. It just so happens that delivering quality experiences are a good way of achieving both Google and Apple's ends. People who hate their phones don't see as many ads as people who enjoy their phones. But, of course, we are feeding the troll.

I think that the point is that Google makes money regardless of whether you get an Android or an iPhone. Apple does not.

Google was making more money from iPhone users individually due to higher engagement than Android users.

Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#77

Post by csense »

This problem is solved with HN headlines by, roughly, making older upvotes worth exponentially less.

Anyone want to comment on the merits and drawbacks of applying a similar solution to an app store, and any ideas for mitigating the problems?

Anyone want to build a startup: An Android app store with HN-inspired ranking system?

Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#78

Post by cncool »

"The “top” list simply rewards developers for getting as many people as possible to buy or download the app once. There’s no reason to optimize for longer-term satisfaction or higher engagement after purchase."

This is clearly false. If you have a free app, you obviously want that so you get money from in-app purchases / ad revenue.

Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#79

Post by austenallred »

fudged71 wrote: post #70
tolmasky wrote: post #44

Here's an idea: show me the top lists without the apps I already own! Why do I need to see Mountain Lion at the top of the App Store constantly in the #1 position? Just so I can know how little Mac Software gets sold and completely dissuade me from ever considering writing Mac software again? EIGHT of the top 10 apps are Apple apps. Most of which people probably already own (I happen to own all of them). Is this the…

Developers in particular like to know what spot on the charts their app got to. By not filtering the results everyone has a definitive view of the placement of these apps. So they should filter the top list like you mention, but show a definitive list online.

This isn't a complex UX problem. Let me choose if I want to see apps I don't have or overall. Set the default as apps I don't have.

Re: Get Rid of the App Store’s “Top” Lists

#80

Post by wavefunction »

schrodinger wrote: post #56
melling wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Now if you could only remind the 500 million other iOS users. Discovery needs to be better. Most people aren't going to dig. If my girlfriend wants an app that she's heard about, I've got to install it for her. Guess who updates the apps on her phone? :-( It's gotta be real easy for most people.

I'm excited for automatic app updates in iOS 7...

I am really unfamiliar with iOS but it blows my mind that this doesn't exist already. It seems like a no-brainer for a feature, especially since Apple basically invented the modern mobile app store.
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