How to get honest app reviews without paying for them

Why the first reviews matter

People hesitate to install an app with no ratings. A handful of real reviews tells them other people have tried it, and gives you feedback on what to fix before more people arrive.

What not to do

Don’t buy reviews, and don’t join review swaps that require a five-star rating. Apple’s App Store and Google Play both ban fake and incentivised reviews, and can remove reviews or your app. Ask for honest opinions only, and accept that some will be critical.

Where honest early reviews come from

• Ask in the app at a good moment, after someone finishes something successfully, using Apple’s and Google’s built-in review prompts.
• Invite early users through TestFlight or a Play Store testing track, then ask them to review once the app is live.
• Ask friends and colleagues who genuinely used it, not people who just download it once.
• Share it in communities where your users already are, and ask for feedback rather than ratings.
• Trade help with other founders: they try your app properly, you try theirs or help with something else.

Trading help for real usage

On Scratch my back, people offer to get others to try your app, and ask for something they need in return, like design feedback, an intro or help with their own launch. Keep it honest: ask people to use the app and share their real opinion, and never tie the favour to a positive rating.

A simple plan for your first 10 reviews

• Fix anything that would make a first-time user stuck.
• Add an in-app review prompt after a success moment.
• Post an offer asking for people to try your app and give honest feedback.
• Help back with something you’re good at.
• Reply to every review, good or bad.