Ask HN: Strategies to get reviews for a new app

#1

Post by skreenr » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 11:17 AM UTC

I wanted to hear What is the current thinking on Getting reviews for your app' for an up-and-coming developer like myself?

There is a relevant Quora thread https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-best-sites-to-buy-App-Store-reviews-Android-and-or-iOS which features two dueling camps: one side extols the virtues of select Pay-for-Reviews sites, while the other takes the opposing view of Don't do that! - A sure way to get banned and/or banished; –and Yes, the Refill feature offered by some of those mentioned makes you wonder: What's the reason this is being offered, as in a "good reason" -?

Re: Ask HN: Strategies to get reviews for a new app

#2

Post by 1cvmask » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 11:34 AM UTC

You run the risk of being banned. Promote it at places like indiehackers, betalist etc....

Re: Ask HN: Strategies to get reviews for a new app

#3

Post by softwaredoug » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 11:52 AM UTC

Don’t buy reviews. But you could recruit a panel of early users to give you feedback. You take their feedback honestly and seriously. (Do this anyway, for your product, not for the sake of reviews.)

Whenever the panel wraps up, you point out they could (only if they want to) leave a review for the app if they would like to.

You won’t be guaranteed positive reviews, but if they’re enthusiastic users and if you’ve been honest and forthright with them, they’ll at least leave thoughtful reviews.

Re: Ask HN: Strategies to get reviews for a new app

#4

Post by giantg2 » Thu, Oct 28, 2021, 7:18 PM UTC

I wouldn't pay for reviews. I feel that it's wrong, sort of like fraud. I have a couple small apps. I like to see the honest feedback. I have even used the comments to help me add new features.

Re: Ask HN: Strategies to get reviews for a new app

#5

Post by skreenr » Fri, Oct 29, 2021, 9:07 AM UTC

1cvmask wrote: post #2

You run the risk of being banned. Promote it at places like indiehackers, betalist etc....

I don't even have IH account, sorry. If anyone could shoot invite, will try.

On Betalist: are they really good? Sounds like they are paid-for, and have a long wait list. Did try Betafamily though; most of their reviewers are young folks in India, and they may too look at it as a way to find a paid opportunity. No, there wasn't a quality feedback via Betafamily either. Just my experience

Re: Ask HN: Strategies to get reviews for a new app

#6

Post by skreenr » Fri, Oct 29, 2021, 9:11 AM UTC

softwaredoug wrote: post #3

Don’t buy reviews. But you could recruit a panel of early users to give you feedback. You take their feedback honestly and seriously. (Do this anyway, for your product, not for the sake of reviews.) Whenever the panel wraps up, you point out they could (only if they want to) leave a review for the app if they would like to. You won’t be guaranteed positive reviews, but if they’re enthusiastic users and if you’ve been…

The thing about recruiting a panel: I got ~250 installs, and nobody is uninstalling it next day, but nobody is writing anything either. That sounds pretty weird, but that's, pardon for lack of better word – It is What it is.

How do you get around it? How do you get people to talk?