App Ratings and ASO: 5 Reasons Why Improving Ratings Has a Huge Impact

Low app ratings hurt your business. Period. They destroy your app's visibility, make users distrust you, and kill downloads.

Good ratings do the opposite - they drive success and help you stand out. App stores use ratings to rank apps, and users rely on them to decide what to download.

If you're running an app and wondering if ratings matter - they do. Here are 5 ways your app rating directly impacts ASO and why fixing it needs to be your priority.

Why Do Users Prefer Apps with High Rating?

High app ratings work because they tap into basic human psychology. People trust crowd wisdom and rely heavily on others' experiences when making choices. Ratings reach millions of strangers instantly, not just your close contacts.

People check ratings before downloading apps. The psychology is simple:

• Social proof. High ratings = lots of happy users.

In fact, 90% of consumers consider star ratings valuable when evaluating a new app.

• Risk aversion. Users hate wasting time on bad apps. If it doesn’t work, why would you bother?

79% of users check ratings and reviews before downloading, highlighting how much they value this reassurance.

• Herd mentality. People copy others' choices when unsure. When an app boasts a high rating, users interpret this as a signal that it’s popular and worth downloading.
• Cognitive shortcuts. Star ratings are instant quality signals.

Moving an app’s rating from three to four stars can lead to an 89% increase in conversions.

• FOMO. High ratings make people think they're missing something good.

Users trust ratings more than app descriptions. Higher ratings = more downloads. Simple as that!

Let’s see how working over app rating can impact your conversions now.

App Search Traffic Growth

High ratings boost your search traffic. Simple fact: app stores rank better-rated apps higher. When users consistently give you good ratings, Google Play and Apple's App Store show your app to more people.

Here's why this matters:

Algorithmic Favoritism

High ratings signal to the app store algorithms that users find value in your app. This positive signal makes your app more likely to rank higher in search results. Essentially, a 4-star or higher rating can make the difference between showing up on page one versus being buried in the back pages.

Keyword Indexing

Here’s a little-known fact: Google Play actually indexes keywords found in user reviews. So, if your app garners a lot of reviews mentioning relevant keywords (e.g., “best task manager” or “photo editor with filters”), it can rank for those terms — even if they’re not explicitly listed in your app’s metadata. A highly rated app naturally attracts more reviews.

To put it simply, a high star rating creates a cycle of growth: better ratings lead to higher visibility, which leads to more downloads and potentially more positive ratings. If you’re on the fence about working on your app’s ratings, know that the impact on app search traffic alone makes it worth the effort. A few tweaks to encourage user feedback and maintain quality can set off a positive feedback loop that fuels your app’s organic growth.

App Ratings Impact Your Chances of Getting Featured in App Stores

Real example: Our client's rating jumped from 3.8 to 4.5 after fixing user complaints. Result? Better search rankings and featured placement in "Top Productivity Apps." Downloads exploded.

The numbers are clear: 92% of featured App Store apps have 4+ stars. 63% hit 4.6 or higher.

Source: AppTweak Study

Here’s how the process works:

• Quality assessment. App stores like high ratings. 4+ stars are needed for featured placement consideration.
• Review volume. Review count matters - more legitimate reviews strengthen your case.
• User engagement. Active usage metrics back up good ratings.This adds weight to its case for being featured.
• Recent trends and updates. Rating must stay strong after updates.
• Editorial review. Store editors check ratings before featuring apps. High rating = safer bet for them.

The analysis of 500 top-ranked apps, showed a strong link between average ratings, the number of ratings, and app rankings. This correlation was more significant than any other factor we tested.

The takeaway here is…yes!

High ratings and a substantial volume of user reviews propel apps to the top of the charts.

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Look at 2022's top apps: all had 4+ stars. The top 10 free iOS apps? Most have hundreds of thousands or even 10+ million ratings.

The message is clear: you need both high ratings and high volume to rank well. A good score isn't enough - you need massive numbers of positive ratings to boost visibility.

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Build User Trust and Shape First Impressions

Ratings make or break first impressions. Users judge your app instantly based on stars and reviews. Here's why:

• First impressions matter. High ratings = instant quality signal. No research needed.
• Social proof drives trust. Users trust the opinions of their peers. In fact, 90% of people check reviews before downloading an app. High ratings build immediate trust.
• Credibility boosts confidence. Reviews that share positive experiences reinforce the app’s quality. Users feel reassured when they see others have had a good time using the app.
• Comparison factor. Between similar apps, users pick the higher-rated one every time.
• Insight Through Reviews: Reviews let users see both sides - what people love and what they don’t.

99.9% of consumers read reviews at least occasionally when shopping online.

This habit carries over to app downloads. A solid rating supported by positive reviews tells users, “This app is worth it.”

On the flip side, negative reviews or a low average rating can hurt trust. They highlight potential problems and even signal that the developers might not respond well to feedback. But if your app’s rating is strong, you’re already ahead in creating a positive first experience.

Increased Download Numbers

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High ratings create trust through social proof. Users pick highly-rated apps without reading every review.

Store algorithms push trusted apps higher in search and features. Better visibility = more downloads.

Between similar apps, users pick the higher-rated one every time.

The cycle builds on itself: High ratings → More downloads → Maintained good ratings → Better visibility → Even more downloads.

Better Conversion Rates

A high rating can drastically influence conversion rates.

High ratings drive downloads by building instant trust. Users see good ratings and make quick download decisions, skipping lengthy research. For marketers and developers, this means ratings directly impact conversion rates.

According to research, moving from three to four stars can boost conversions by up to 89%.

Here’s the conversion flow when an app has strong ratings:

• Instant appeal. 4+ stars = immediate credibility. Users click through faster.
• No hesitation. Good ratings make apps feel like safe choices. Users download with fewer doubts. With so many apps to choose from, users are drawn to options that seem like a “safe bet.”
• Comparison advantage. Between similar apps, better-rated ones win the download. If users are torn between two similar options, the higher-rated app almost always wins.
• Encouragement to act. Strong ratings confirm users are making smart choices, speeding up downloads. This positive reinforcement can lead to a faster conversion process, as users are more confident about moving forward.

High ratings clear conversion roadblocks. Users see quality signals and download confidently.

What Happens When the App Rating is Low

Here's what happens when your app hits low ratings, especially 1-star on Play Store:

• Visibility tanks. Store algorithms bury low-rated apps in search results.
• Trust collapses. Users see bad ratings and assume the app is broken.
• Downloads plummet. Most users won't touch a poorly-rated app.
• Reputation suffers. Bad ratings snowball as negative reviews pile up.
• ASO crashes. Poor ratings kill your keyword ranking and search presence.

Low ratings start a downward spiral. Less visibility → fewer downloads → harder recovery. You'll need aggressive improvements to bounce back.

How Can AppFollow Help You Grow App Rating

AppFollow is the goat ready to save you from your woes. Boost ASO (App Store Optimization) strategy to support growth in app ratings and visibility. Here's how:

• Keyword Tracking and Optimization: AppFollow helps you track relevant keywords and assess how your app ranks for themCompetitor Analysis: The platform provides insights into competitors' strategies, allowing you to benchmark and adjust your ASO efforts accordingly.
• Review Sentiment Analysis: By analyzing user reviews, AppFollow helps identify common themes and issues that impact your rating and reputation.

• Localization Tools: AppFollow’s localization tools help optimize your app’s listing for multiple regions.

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FAQ: App Ratings and Their Influence on Success

Why do app ratings matter for ASO?

App ratings play a crucial role in how your app is ranked in app stores. Higher ratings boost your app’s visibility, which can lead to more downloads and organic growth.

How do app ratings impact user trust?

Users view apps with high ratings as more reliable and trustworthy. This perception increases their willingness to download and engage with the app.

What rating should my app aim for to appear in top charts?

To secure a place in the top charts, aim for a rating of at least 4 stars. Most top-ranking apps maintain ratings above this level.

Can ratings impact paid marketing efforts?

Absolutely. High app ratings enhance the performance of paid marketing campaigns by building user confidence. On the other hand, low ratings can deter potential users and reduce campaign effectiveness.