What Happens When App Rating is Low? | Impact on User Experience & App Success

Reviews and ratings have a significant impact on the ranking of the app of the play store. The app, with high ratings and reviews showing at the above on the list of apps, is ranked high among them. Most people prefer to download the app with high ratings and reviews.

Ratings and reviews have their importance for the app:

  • Before downloading any app, most people check their ratings and reviews.
  • Ratings and reviews give a specific idea about the feature of the app.
  • App having high ratings and reviews has the chance to download the most.
  • Higher rated and reviewed apps are probably the most useful app for individuals.
  • People who are disappointed with the feature and quality of the app give it low ratings and reviews.

If the ratings and review are down of any app in the play store, certain things will happen, which are mention below:

  1. Decreases the accessibility of the app- 

When we search certain keyword apps related to that keyword having higher ratings and reviews, which be showing on the above of the list of apps. If grades and discussions of the app are down, people will not find it at the top, and it becomes difficult for them to find it.

It decreases the accessibility of the app. The app with higher ratings and reviews is more likely accessible than the lower-rated app.

  1. Decreases in the demand of the app-

The things which have lower ratings are less in demand, so are the apps. People used to see its ratings and reviews before downloading any app, and after examining all the reviews, they get the idea about the app, which will help them understand which app is beneficial for them. 

App having low ratings and reviews decrease its demand. Fewer people will download and access it.

  1. Considers as the low-quality app

The app with low ratings and reviews has regarded as a low-quality app. People give good reviews and rating to those apps which has excellent features and are beneficial for them.

The app does not have good content or has a lot of faults and problems which people don’t find useful, so they rated that app low. And it is a low-quality app. As per the policy of Google Play Developer, Google Play doesn’t support low-quality apps.

  1. No more useful app- The main reason for giving low rates and reviews to any app is that the people are not finding it helpful and convenient. It does not provide satisfaction to that person.

There are various reasons why people find it useless:

  • It contains a lot of ads.
  • It doesn’t consist of appropriate material or matter.
  • Trouble in operating

These are some reasons due to which a person doesn’t find the app appropriate and gives it low ratings and reviews.

  1. No more in trend

A lot of apps are there, which are running successfully because they are trending. They get high reviews and ratings from many people, and everyone has that app on their phones usually. But if people find some problem in it or something happens which downs its ratings, people start deleting that app from their phones and give low ratings so that the app will not be in trend more.

Here is an example, Tik tok is an app which is liked by most of the people lot of people have tik tok installed in their phones, but due to one reason people have started uninstalling it and start giving it low ratings so that it will no more be in the trend.

  1. Stop downloading the app

The thing is that people always keep useful applications on their phones. If ratings and reviews go down for an application, people will not download it because they still prefer high-rated apps. They think top-rated apps are more beneficial and useful.

  1. The application can be banned- If

people are not finding the app useful and giving negative reviews and comments and giving it a low star and keeps complaining about the application. It may be a ban from the play store as it is not successful in providing excellent services to the persons. So, the app owner should take out some solutions to the problems raised by the other people who are downloading that app. If the owner is not doing anything for the problem, and the app is consistently getting a low rating, there is a considerable chance of being ban from the play store.

  1. If an app has great popularity before, it decreases its demand, but due to some reasons or faults in the app which troubles the users, they give it low ratings and reviews complaining about the app. The app may lose its popularity; either people start deleting it from their phone or advice others not to download that app.

It causes damage to the popularity of the app

  1. Loses its trust-

People search for a specific keyword, a lot of applications appears on play store it is challenging to find a genuine one. People download the app, which they think is more useful and beneficial. 

However, when it gets low ratings and reviews, people lose their trust from that application and no more download that app and also suggest their friends not to download the app.

  1. The ranking will drop-

Whether it was a high-rated app before, but when the ratings and reviews become low people giving low stars, the app ranking will fall in the play store. And it will become challenging to find the application.

The applications which are having high rates and reviews are showing on the above of all other apps in the play store. Also, considering the best app among all, you need to scroll down and find the application which has high ratings before, but now its rank is dropped due to some reasons.

Here are some points which can happen due to the decrease in ratings and reviews of the apps in the play store.

FAQ: What happens when app rating is low

Q1: What does it mean to have a low app rating? A1: A low app rating typically refers to an average user rating that falls below a certain threshold, often around 2 to 3 stars out of 5. This indicates that a significant portion of users are dissatisfied with the app’s performance, features, or overall experience.

Q2: How does a low app rating impact user experience? A2: A low app rating can lead to frustrated users who may encounter bugs, crashes, or other issues within the app. Users might also experience a lack of desired features, slow performance, or an unintuitive interface, resulting in a poor overall experience.

Q3: What are the consequences of a low app rating? A3: A low rating can deter potential users from downloading your app. It can also lead to negative reviews, which further tarnish your app’s reputation. Additionally, app stores might reduce your app’s visibility, making it harder to attract new users and retain existing ones.

Q4: How does app store visibility get affected by low ratings? A4: App stores take user ratings and reviews seriously when determining app visibility in search results and app categories. A low rating can cause your app to rank lower, making it less likely for users to discover your app organically.

Q5: Can a low rating be improved? A5: Yes, it’s possible to improve a low app rating. By actively addressing user feedback and fixing issues, you can enhance the user experience. Encouraging satisfied users to leave positive reviews can also help balance out negative ratings.

Q6: What strategies can help boost app ratings? A6: Responding to user reviews and resolving their concerns promptly shows that you value user feedback. Regularly updating your app with bug fixes and new features can also improve its overall quality. Consider running promotions or providing incentives for users to rate your app positively.

Q7: How long does it take to recover from a low app rating? A7: The time it takes to recover from a low app rating varies. With consistent effort to address user concerns and improve the app, you can start seeing positive changes in a few weeks to months. Patience and dedication are key.

Q8: Is a low app rating the only factor affecting app success? A8: While app rating is crucial, it’s not the only factor determining app success. Factors like app functionality, unique features, marketing strategies, and user engagement also play significant roles in determining how well an app performs in the market.

Q9: Can negative reviews be turned into positive outcomes? A9: Yes, negative reviews provide an opportunity for improvement. By addressing user complaints and making meaningful changes, you can not only improve your app but also demonstrate to users that their feedback is valued, potentially turning dissatisfied users into loyal advocates.

Q10: What’s the best way to prevent a low app rating? A10: The best way to prevent a low app rating is to prioritize user satisfaction from the start. Focus on creating a user-friendly interface, offering valuable features, and thoroughly testing your app before launch. Regularly gather user feedback and make continuous improvements to provide an exceptional user experience.

Bhanu Garg: