14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has reportedly altered the rules under which a person can post an application review on its iTunes App Store, preventing those who’ve downloaded apps with promo codes to post any impressions on the digital storefront.
As highlighted by iOS app tracker AppShoper, iOS fans writing on forums reveal that recent attempts to post a review for an app downloaded via a promo code turned up errors.
One person writing in the TouchArcade forums claims to have been told by an Apple support representative that it was “no longer possible to rate or review an app if it was downloaded using a developer’s promotional code to prevent comprimising [sic] of the rating system.”
Another person chimed in with what he claimed to be an actual statement from Apple support:
“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.”
As Apple fans should well know, iOS developers are allowed to generate and distribute a maximum of 50 promo codes for each application release.
This includes software updates and developers could well be enticed to put these codes in the right hands for favorable reviews on iTunes.
Apple, of course, wants consistency on the App Store, therefore is taking steps to prevent the posting of positive reviews that aren’t merited, and that can mislead potential customers.
The change in policy appears to apply only to recently released promo codes.
Those who’ve encountered similar errors in trying to post a review on iTunes are encouraged to share their experience in the comments.