How to improve iOS App Store ratings and get 5 stars in 2025

App store ratings are make-or-break. High ratings drive downloads, word-of-mouth, and push you up the rankings. Better visibility means more users. Simple as that.

Sure, you need a solid app first - that's obvious. But want to know how to boost those ratings even higher? I've got 8 proven strategies from apps that consistently crush it in the ratings game.

Let's get to it.

Ask for app ratings correctly

Don’t buy reviews. Ask for them.

Are you tempted to buy ratings? 

Don’t. 

It's a bad move. You'll get caught and banned. The app stores aren't stupid.

Get real feedback from actual users instead. You'll learn what works and what doesn't. Want genuine 5-star ratings? Here's how:

• Keep the message clear: don't grovel for 5 stars. Just say "Enjoying the app? Rate us 5 stars!" Simple and clear.
  For example:

5-star rating request template example

• Use personalized prompts. If a user frequently uses a specific feature, acknowledge it: "Hey, we see you love [feature]. Give us 5 stars to help make it even better."

• Run A/B tests. Different styles and templates, (fun, direct, appreciative) to see which resonates most with your audience. Try direct vs funny vs exclusive. See what works.

• Always leave an exit. Include "Not now" options. People hate feeling trapped.
• Thank users. If they leave feedback, even if it’s not a 5-star rating, a quick “Thanks for helping us improve!” goes a long way.

Do this right and you'll boost AppStore Google Play ratings while keeping it real with users and app stores.

Time your app ratings request notifications

Bad timing kills ratings. Don't ask when users are stuck or frustrated - you're begging for one star.

Wait until they've actually used the app and completed something meaningful. Let them see the value first. Then ask. You'll get better ratings.

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One effective way to do this? 

Advanced targeting. Set triggers for review prompts after users perform actions within the app. 

Don't ask for app reviews right after download - that's annoying. Wait until users have actually used your eCommerce app and completed orders.

Users rate apps 5 stars when they're happy, not when they're confused newbies. Time your review requests for after they've hit achievements or saved money. Basic psychology.

Pro tip: filter out the complaints first. Add a "Feedback" form in your app. That way the gripes come to you directly, while the satisfied users head to the App Store to boost your ratings.

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Respond to user feedback

Now that you have a rating and review, what do you do with it?

Pay special attention to the reviews to boost your rating and earn 5 stars. Follow up on feedback and fix reported bugs.

Use AppFollow to automatically tag common feedback themes. This shows you exactly what to fix in your next update to boost those star ratings.

AppFollow's customer support review automation

Users love to have their voices heard and, by responding to them, you show that you listen. Reading reviews helps fix your app. Responding to them builds loyal users.

Keep responses professional but genuine - whether it's praise or complaints. Skip the corporate robospeak. Nobody likes feeling like just another ticket number.

Outreach influencers

An easy way to improve your ratings and reviews is to get more users. And what’s great for getting more users?

Get someone famous to promote it. But it'll cost you. When fans see their idol using your app, they'll want it too. 

How to find the right influencers

• Skip general celebrities. Target niche influencers who match your app's purpose. Fitness app? Get fitness influencers.
• Consider micro-influencers. Micro-influencers (10k-100k followers) are cheaper and their fans actually listen to them. It’s a better choice for app store ratings and Google Play rating.
• Analyze engagement, not just follower count. Look at their engagement - that's what drives real downloads and reviews.

What to ask influencers to do

Get influencers to make tutorials showing off your app. Real demos beat fake ads.

Tell them to:

• Show exactly what they like about your app
• Be specific about how it helps them
• Ask their followers straight up: "Love this app? Give it 5 stars." When fans trust the influencer, they'll do it.

Example outreach email

Here’s a template to reach out to an influencer:

Using the right influencers with a targeted strategy will boost app store reviews, Google Play ratings, and iOS app store ratings. At the same time, it’ll help you reach new users eager to try and review your app.

Improve your app regularly

You should always look to improve your app. Never just leave it as-is in the app store; nurture it. Do you know any 4.5-star rated apps that never released an update? Indeed. Your app needs to stay compatible with the latest software updates and add new features as it grows.

How often to update?

Update your app every 2-4 weeks. It shows users and app stores you're on top of things. Regular fixes keep users happy and ratings high. Even tiny updates matter.

How updates influence ratings

Updates boost ratings. Simple math: Users see you fixing their complaints = they rate you higher. That’s how you get higher Google Play rating and overall app visibility.

Want to know what to update? Check your feedback. Tools like semantic analysis help pinpoint what users want most. Keep your app running smooth and bug-free, and you might catch the app stores' attention for featuring.

Do all this right and those 5-star reviews will roll in.

Prioritize users with poor experiences first

Negative feedback can cover various issues, from missing features to app performance, UI frustrations, or even customer support. 

So, which feedback should you address first? 

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Focus on your angry users first. They're the ones ready to quit your app.

How to handle bad ratings:

• Use smart forms to dig deeper when someone gives 1-2 stars. Find out exactly what's wrong.
• Don't wait - ask for details right when they leave a low rating. They won't bother telling you later.
• Fixed their problem? Tell them. Most will update their bad review if you actually solve their issue.

How to prioritize and act

• Look for patterns in bad reviews - if lots of users hate the same thing, fix it first.
• Watch your metrics. If complaints about your design spike, that's your next priority.
• Once you've fixed things, ask users to update their reviews. Show them you listened and they'll usually bump up their rating.

Engage the silent majority with gamification for higher app ratings

Most users never rate your app - they just use it silently. Getting these quiet users to actually leave ratings is crucial for boosting your App Store presence, since high ratings get you more visibility. Want them to rate? Make it fun. Add game elements and rewards to the rating process. Even the quietest users will speak up if you give them the right push.

Offer value in exchange for feedback

Users will rate your app if you give them something in return. Gaming apps can offer coins or extra lives. Other apps can give discounts or premium features. It's simple - they get perks, you get ratings.

Here are rating prompts that work:

• Discount offer:
  “Enjoying our app? Give us a quick rating to unlock 10% off your next purchase! Your feedback helps us improve.”
• Exclusive content access:
  “Rate our app with 5 stars to access exclusive content just for our top fans! Your support means everything to us!”
• In-game rewards (for gaming apps):
  “Love the game? Leave us a 5-star rating to receive 100 bonus coins! Your feedback powers our updates.”
• VIP feature trial:
  “Rate us and get a 7-day free trial of our VIP features! Tap a star and see what’s waiting for you.”
• Early access to new features:
  “Rate us to unlock early access to exciting new features! Your opinion matters, and we’d love to hear from you.”

Integrate targeted pop-ups

Time your rating requests right. Show pop-ups when they make sense - like offering a discount for rating after a purchase. Use tools like Picreel to set these up quickly.

This stuff works. Our AppFollow clients see better ratings and more loyal users when they make rating feel like a game. Their quiet users start speaking up.

Adapt this to your app's users and you'll get better ratings from people who normally stay silent.

Report spam and offensive comments

Spam and offensive comments hurt your app's success. Our AppFollow clients lose downloads when their reviews are filled with junk. Here's the real damage:

How spam impacts app ratings

• Bad first look: users judge your app by its reviews. Spam makes you look unprofessional and scares away downloads.
• Tanked ratings: spammers often leave one-star reviews. On iOS, this kills your search ranking and visibility.
• Lost credibility: letting spam sit in your reviews makes users think you don't care. Clean it up fast to keep their trust.

How to report spam or offensive reviews in app stores

Here’s a quick guide for reporting inappropriate reviews:

On iOS App Store:

• Open App Store Connect and go to “My Apps.”
• Select your app and navigate to “Ratings and Reviews.”
• Locate the offensive or spammy review, then select the “Flag” option.
• Apple’s review team will review the flagged comment, and if it violates guidelines, it will be removed.

On Google Play:

• Open the Google Play Console and go to “User Feedback” > “Ratings & Reviews.”
• Find the review you want to report.
• Click on the three-dot menu next to the comment and select “Flag as inappropriate.”
• Google will review the flagged content, removing it if it breaches platform guidelines.

Track all flagged reviews to spot repeat spammers. Use AppFollow's tools to monitor reviews across iOS and Google Play in one place.

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Clean reviews = more trust and better ratings. Simple as that.

Leveraging multiple channels

You're missing out if you only collect app ratings through in-app prompts. Here's how to maximize feedback across different channels:

Push notifications

Hit users right after they've had a win in your app - completing a task, beating a level, or hitting a goal. Works best with users who are already active.

• When to use: Strike while the iron's hot - right after achievements or during high usage periods. Use as backup when in-app prompts fail.
• Example: "You just crushed [goal]! Love the app? Rate us quickly to help make it even better."

SMS

Use it to nudge users who've gone cold and ignored your other rating requests. Great for reaching people who've blocked app notifications but still read texts.

W

hen to use: after other channels flop. Works to re-engage users who've dropped off or gone quiet.

Email

Perfect for regular rating requests and works for all users, especially occasional ones. Time it with new features or updates to boost chances of good feedback.

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When to use: right after big updates or new features drop. Good for reaching out to old-timers who might rate. You can slice and dice your email lists to target different user groups.

Live chat

Strike when you've just solved a user's problem. People are way more likely to leave good ratings right after getting their issue fixed.

• When to use: right after nailing a support case. Hold off if they're still unhappy - wait until they're satisfied.
• Example: “Thanks for chatting with us! If we made your day a little easier, we’d appreciate a quick rating to help us improve.”

Expert Tips for Channel Integration

Each of these channels has its strengths, and using them at the right moments enhances user engagement and increases app ratings:

• Set up auto-triggers based on user actions
• Tailor messages to each user's engagement level
• Don't bombard users - space out requests across channels

This targeted approach hits users when they're most likely to rate, improving your iOS and Google Play ratings.

Collecting feedback means committing to understanding it

Collecting ratings is just the start. You need to understand what users are actually saying. AppFollow's sentiment analysis scans thousands of reviews automatically to spot patterns and user feelings.

Want better app performance? Try it free and turn user feedback into real improvements today.

FAQ

How often should I ask users to rate my app to improve app ratings?

It’s best to ask for app ratings after users have had a positive experience with your app, like completing a key task or reaching a milestone. Avoid requesting feedback too frequently, as this can feel intrusive. Timing it right helps improve app ratings by encouraging users to leave high-quality app store reviews when they’re most satisfied.

What’s the most effective way to handle negative app store ratings?

Responding promptly and professionally to negative app store ratings shows that you’re committed to improvement. Address the user’s concerns and, if possible, provide a solution. This proactive approach not only increases user satisfaction but can also encourage users to update their app rating with a higher score, positively impacting overall app ratings.

How can AppFollow help increase app ratings?

AppFollow provides tools like sentiment analysis to automatically analyze reviews, helping you spot trends in user feedback. With these insights, you can quickly identify areas for improvement, making data-driven changes to increase app ratings. Features like the Word Cloud highlight commonly mentioned terms, allowing you to prioritize updates that will improve the app rating experience for your users.

Is it beneficial to use incentives to increase app ratings?

Using incentives like discounts or in-app rewards can effectively increase app ratings if done thoughtfully. Offering value in exchange for feedback can encourage users to leave a rating, but be mindful not to overuse incentives, as they may lead to biased app store reviews. Aim for transparency to foster honest feedback.

How soon can I expect to see an increase in app store ratings after making updates?

The timeline depends on the type and impact of the updates. Fixing bugs or adding popular new features often leads to a quicker increase in app ratings as users notice and appreciate the improvements. Typically, it may take a few weeks to see a significant boost in app store ratings, as users interact with the updated app and update their rating over time.