Now, If You Download An App Using A Promo Code, You Can't Review It
by Joe White
May 3, 2011
Apple has tweaked the App Store once again. Now, users who download an iOS application using a promo code can not review that app in iTunes.
The news comes following another change that Apple silently made to the App Store, which altered the way its ranking system worked. The change affected iOS applications which were present in the top charts, suggesting that Apple is putting new “weights on top of download numbers to determine top apps.”
Yesterday, one Touch Arcade forum member became aware of another change made to the App Store. Now, it is no longer possible to review applications downloaded using a promo code. Furthermore, an Apple representative confirmed this to the forum member:
Hi, Anand here again from iTunes Store Customer Support. Thanks for writing back and letting me know your concern. I understand that you are still not able to write a review. I know how disappointing it can be when things don\’t work out the way they should. I am sorry to inform that it is no longer possible to rate or review an app if it was downloaded using a developer’s promotional code. However, I took the liberty of submitting your feedback to Apple on your behalf. Please know that Apple takes the feedback from our customers very seriously. This is the reason for our feedback page – to create a forum where our users can vent, praise or share whatever feelings they have to allow us to meet your needs, and grow as a company. I suggest that you use the link in order to share your feedback with us. I would also encourage you to share this link with all of your friends and family who wish to submit the feedback, and have them all submit the same request.” —– It is no longer possible to rate or review an app if it was downloaded using a developer’s promotional code. You can review this app by purchasing it on a different iTunes account using something other than a developer’s promotional code, such as a Gift Card, Gift Certificate, or other payment options.Apple is obviously continuing its attempt to validate iTunes reviews and App Store rankings, which is great. Besides the above changes, Apple is also reportedly rejecting iOS apps which use "pay per install" campaigns. Do you have an opinion on this? Let us know in the comments. [via MacStories]