How to Improve Your
App Store Rating
A 3.5-star app gets 50% fewer downloads than a 4.5-star app. Here's how to catch negative feedback before it becomes a bad review.
Quick Answer
The best way to improve App Store ratings is to catch negative feedback before it becomes a public review. Use in-app surveys to identify unhappy users and address their concerns directly. Happy users rarely leave reviews, but unhappy users will. Give them a better outlet.
Why App Store ratings are broken
The review system creates a negativity bias that hurts good apps.
Unhappy users speak loudest
Frustrated users are motivated to leave reviews. Happy users just use your app and move on.
No private feedback channel
When users have no way to reach you directly, the App Store becomes their only outlet.
Timing is wrong
Apple's review prompt appears at random times, often when users are in the middle of something frustrating.
Intercept feedback before it goes public
Most negative reviews could have been prevented with a simple question at the right time.
Ask before Apple does
Show a simple in-app survey before the native review prompt. Ask "How's your experience so far?" with a 1-5 rating.
Route based on response
If they rate 4-5 stars, show Apple's native review prompt. If they rate 1-3 stars, ask what's wrong and fix it directly.
Follow up with unhappy users
When someone reports an issue, fix it and let them know. Often they'll update their perception of your app.
What better ratings mean for downloads
When to ask for feedback
Good timing
- After completing a task successfully
- After reaching a milestone or achievement
- After 3-5 sessions of app usage
- After a positive moment (purchase confirmed)
- When returning after being away
Bad timing
- During checkout or sign-up
- Immediately after app launch
- After an error or failed action
- During content loading
- When the user is clearly busy
How FeedbackWall helps
Set up the feedback interception strategy in minutes.
Create a rating survey
Build a simple "How's your experience?" survey in the FeedbackWall dashboard with a 1-5 rating scale.
Trigger at the right moment
Use FeedbackWall's trigger system to show the survey after positive moments in your app.
Monitor and improve
See responses in real-time. Identify issues early and fix them before they become bad reviews.
After initial SDK integration, you can create and update your rating interception survey from the dashboard without App Store resubmission.
Common questions
How can I improve my App Store rating?
Catch negative feedback before it becomes a public review. Use in-app surveys to identify unhappy users and address their concerns directly.
When should I ask users to rate my app?
Ask after positive moments: completing a task, reaching a milestone, or after several sessions. Never ask during frustrating moments.
Why do users leave bad reviews?
Users leave bad reviews when they have no other outlet. Give them an easy way to report issues directly, and many will choose that instead.
How long does it take to see improvements?
Most apps see measurable improvement within 2-3 months. New reviews will trend more positive over time.
Ready to improve your App Store rating?
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