What Is App Rating and Why It’s Key to Your App’s Success

App ratings matter. A lot. Higher ratings mean more downloads and revenue. Getting those ratings? That's the hard part. Studies show that 79% of users check ratings before downloading an app, and apps with higher ratings enjoy up to 3x more installs.

What's a good app rating? It depends.

At AppFollow, we've helped clients understand how to unlock better app ratings by managing reviews, addressing pain points, and knowing when to respond.

Ready to take your ratings and downloads to the next level? Let's dive in.

What is App Rating?

App ratings are your app's reputation score. They show up as 1-5 stars in app stores and can make or break your downloads. Good ratings pull users in. Bad ones push them away. Ratings come from user reviews, direct feedback, and rating prompts in your app. That's the reality—your rating is your lifeline.

Rating example. Image source.

Each element—stars, reviews, and responses—adds up to influence your app's overall rating. For example, an app with many 5-star reviews but no responses from the team may look less engaged than one with a mix of ratings and thoughtful replies.

Aim for 4.5 stars or higher. It signals quality and it’s what most users expect when they’re ready to download. We’ve seen clients at AppFollow boost ratings just by addressing common issues, which can quickly turn a 3.8 into a solid 4.

Why Do App Ratings Matter for Developers and Marketers?

App ratings make or break user acquisition. They're your storefront - the first thing potential users check to judge quality. Bad ratings kill growth. Slow apps and poor UX lead to negative reviews, which drive users away. Fix problems fast and engage with feedback.

Apps that respond to user feedback see a 30% increase in satisfaction, which often translates directly into better ratings.

Here’s why app ratings are so impactful:

• First impressions: ratings are one of the first things users see
• User trust: a high rating signals quality, making your app more appealing
• App store visibility: better ratings improve your app’s ranking
• User retention: engaging with user reviews often increases loyalty

App ratings drive success. Strong ratings build trust, boost visibility, and increase downloads. Treat them as a top priority and your metrics will follow.

How Ratings Influence App Downloads and User Retention

App ratings directly impact growth. A strong rating attracts users, while even a half-star drop sends them to competitors. Low ratings reveal deeper problems: bugs, poor UX, or missing features that frustrate users and tank retention.

Data shows the connection is clear. Companies that fix issues and respond to reviews see more downloads and better user retention. Fix problems fast, engage with feedback, watch metrics improve.

A 1-star rating increase can boost retention by up to 20%!

How does Google Play Star Rating Work

Google Play ratings run 1-5 stars. New reviews carry more weight than old ones, changing your score fast. Strong updates lift your rating quickly. Bad releases tank it just as fast. Developers need to watch ratings closely—they can shift dramatically with each release.

Android app rating system example. Image source.

Google Play ratings focus on recent reviews, not lifetime scores. Respond to feedback fast or watch your rating drop. Low ratings kill visibility and downloads. A 1-star rating can deter nearly 60% of potential users.

Monitor your Android app ratings daily. Fix user complaints immediately. Users who get fast responses stay happy.

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How does App Store Star Rating Work

The App Store’s star rating system provides users with a 1–5 star rating based on an app’s lifetime performance, meaning all past and current reviews contribute to the overall rating. This can make it challenging for developers to boost scores fast, but there’s a helpful option: developers can reset their iOS app rating system with major updates, offering a fresh start when big improvements are made.

For developers and marketers, this lifetime approach favors consistent quality but can be tough for newer apps. Apps rated 4.5 stars or higher attract significantly more downloads, so maintaining a high rating is key.

Ship updates often. Respond to feedback fast. Watch ratings climb!

What is the Difference Between the Apple App Store and Google Play Rating Features?

Apple App Store and Google Play ratings may look similar at first glance, but each platform’s rating system has aspects that can impact your app’s success.

Android app rating features

Google Play ratings focus on recent reviews. Scores change fast - good updates boost them, bad ones sink them. Public responses to reviews build trust. Use in-app rating prompts to get feedback from your engaged users. That's what drives strong ratings.

Google Play ratings update fast based on recent reviews. You can respond to reviews publicly—use this to fix problems and show users you care.

Smart move: use in-app rating prompts to get feedback from your power users. Since reviews link to Google accounts, feedback stays legit and transparent.

Don't ignore these tools. Use them aggressively to build trust and drive growth.

iOS app rating features

On the App Store, app ratings are calculated based on an app’s lifetime performance, meaning both old and new reviews influence the overall rating. This can be helpful if your app has a strong history, but it can make it challenging to improve the rating quickly if it dips. However, developers have the option to reset their app rating when releasing a major update—a fresh start, if you will.

App Store ratings work differently. They average lifetime performance, not just recent reviews. Good history keeps ratings stable. Bad scores take time to improve. Major updates let you reset ratings completely.

That's a double-edge sword: harder to fix bad ratings quickly, but more protection against temporary dips.

App Store and Google Play have different rating strategies. App Store success comes from steady, long-term quality. Google Play requires constant monitoring and fast responses. Adapt your approach to each platform or watch your downloads suffer.

How Appfollow can Boost your App Ratings

AppFollow provides a powerful way to boost app ratings by helping you manage user feedback well. For developers and marketers, it’s (of course it is) tough to stay on top of shifting ratings, especially when minor issues can lead to sudden drops. AppFollow simplifies this, pulling all user feedback into one platform so you can fix pain points immediately.

With tools to monitor and engage with reviews, AppFollow helps improve user satisfaction—a critical factor, as engaged apps see up to a 30% increase in user satisfaction. Quick responses to common issues build trust with users, who value timely support. Wouldn’t you enjoy a quick answer from a dev of your favorite app? Indeed.

AppFollow boosts ratings by:

• Real-time review monitoring from one dashboard
• Instant alerts for new feedback
• Analytics to spot user complaint patterns
• Fast response tools to engage users

In short, AppFollow helps you take control of your app’s ratings, ensuring happier users, more downloads, and long-term growth.

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To summarize

App ratings are more than just a number—they’re a lifeline for driving downloads and user retention. For app developers and marketers, managing app ratings means staying tuned in to what users need and responding to issues as they arise. A solid app rating keeps your current users loyal and engaged. Stats show that 79% of users check ratings before downloading, making that star count a powerful marketing tool.

AppFollow equips you with the following tools to manage and boost app ratings effectively:

• Monitor reviews in one place
• Get instant feedback alerts
• Track sentiment trends with data
• Act fast to fix user complaints

Strong ratings mean more downloads. Now get out there and make your app reach 4.5-star rating and above. Sky’s the limit (which is 4.99)

FAQ

Why do app ratings change so quickly on Google Play?

On Google Play, ratings are weighted heavily on recent feedback. This allows the rating to reflect current user sentiment, but it also means that a few poor reviews can quickly lower your score. Staying responsive to feedback and addressing issues in real time is essential on this platform to keep your app rating steady.

Can I reset my app rating?

On the Apple App Store, you can reset your app’s rating when releasing a major update. This can be helpful if you’ve made significant improvements and want to start fresh. However, Google Play doesn’t offer this option, so maintaining good ratings requires ongoing engagement and quick responses to user concerns.

How do app ratings affect downloads?

App ratings directly impact downloads, as they build trust with potential users. In fact, higher ratings can lead to up to 3x more installs. Users often avoid apps with ratings below 4.0, so keeping your rating high can improve visibility, attract new users, and help grow your app’s user base.

What happens if app rating is low

• Fewer downloads: People trust apps with higher ratings.
• Reduced visibility: App stores promote higher-rated apps.
• Lower revenue: Users are less likely to spend money on poorly rated apps.
• Bad reputation: Poor ratings can harm your brand image.

How to calculate average app rating

To calculate the average app rating, simply add up all the star ratings given by users and divide the total by the number of reviews. For example, if your app has received 5 reviews with ratings of 4, 5, 3, 4, and 5 stars, the total is 4 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 21. Divide this by the number of reviews, which is 5, and you get 21 ÷ 5 = 4.2. That’s your app’s average rating!