I ran Promo Dispenser, which was giving away Promo Codes for reviews and users reported that they get an error message if they try to review promo code downloads. They emailed to Apple and they all received the same message:
Maybe codes, which were claimed before the update, still can be rated and reviewed, but the new ones can't be anymore... I don'T know. I only know, that we received these messages and our users reported this permanently in the last 2-3 weeks.
If we cannot rate the app, it is hard to know did we own that app before. I used review and rating to test the test best I press BUY to re-download it.
I have The problem unable to review the app also. It's been a while now since last week. Problem only happen for using promo code redeemed app
Weird, cause I just tried it and it worked for me. I just won a promo code for a game yesterday, redeemed it, and then today was able to successfully write a review in the Canadian app store.
I also got the same alert but from another user, i really want to know if apple has announced this officially or may be selected ones only got this mail.
This is bad news. Developers who pressured those who got promo codes to give 5-star reviews are probably to blame for Apple's decision to do this, but people who gave honest feedback either in these forums or in a review only helped developers make improvements to their games. Now, there will be little incentive for developers to even bother with promo codes. There are so many developers (mostly ones that don't come here looking for feedback) that either gave the codes to friends and family or just had them purchase it to put up "shill" reviews to boost sales. I don't think this will stop those kind of reviews. Promo codes -- at least those from developers who want honest feedback -- were a way to get a game noticed and help make updates to make a game better.
Of the ten or so promo codes I've received over the past few weeks, only 2 allowed me to post a review. All of the other ones, I'm unable to post a review. I have tried multiple times to post reviews (on different days and even yesterday) and it still says I can't because I didn't purchase or download the app. Looks like Apple's new policy still has a few kinks to iron out.
this is bad, looks like we're heading for a big change in the way we can help the devs with reviews here.
I was able to rate and review all promocodes I received. Still haven't this problem in the spanish store. I agree that the review is a great tool for small developers to promote his apps. I don't give reviews and rates to any app I sincerely don't think it deserves. Also, promocoeds allow developers to have users to give them impressions about the app and bug or features they think can improve the app. Perhaps apple must "mark" review made using promocodes. I think this solution will be good for customers and developers. What do you think?
Has anyone thought that maybe it's just the newer codes from (x) date - present? As in, before this new policy was put in place, those codes will be fine for reviewing, but from (x) date onward, the codes that devs get disallow ratings/reviews.
I thought the same. Even though some folks are just getting promo codes, it's possible they were generated prior to the cutoff date.
Isn't this sort of a good change? I mean sure, some people claimed codes, played games, and left honest reviews... But more often than not this just seemed like it gave ammo for promo code beggars and shills to go hog wild both pestering developers and saturating the App Store with bogus 5 star reviews. I can totally see where Apple is coming from with this. The purpose of the review system is for crowd sourced feedback from people who bought the apps... Not to dupe people into buying your app because you found a few dozen people to give you a 5 star review in exchange for a promo code.
I agree to some extent. There are some sites that would reward you points for reviewing an app. Any feedback or user rating system can be gamed. Just a shame for honest reviewers or developers wanting quality feedback. Alas, the devs could still do a very short free price drop though. Not the same but a good work around.
This does need stomping out, but not really this exact way as now the abusers just have to pay for the priv. When did the change take effect...maybe there's only 1 way to find out...fight! 2 codes - WARHKH6AW44W (generated 23rd April) and FTH7KRTYLT49 (generated 1st May)...now, as a developer I get perhaps a small reward of a review for taking time out for this experiment, plus a couple of folk get a free app...those are what is being taken away from us, I hope we can replace this feature without all having to find cash for gift codes, which gives the advantage to the bigger teams. edit: ok so I messed up there by somehow reading the word promo as the sub-forum name, well I still think it's a valid experiment...and yes Sinecure Industries, having again been through PM feedback and links it is clearly a great reward to be in contact with the end-user! It did however seem like a nice idea to get an app started by hearing new feedback on the store, that would be my inexperience sorry, these forums have much more detail.
This is only as bad as all the promo codes I've given out and heard nothing in return. Now I KNOW I won't hear anything back, hahaa. Seriously though, the people around here provide fantastic feedback which is worth more than a review on the app store any day.
