Rules for requesting app reviews
There’s been some discussion recently about App Store reviews because of an article on 9to5Mac. I’m trying to understand the latest rules governing review requests.
Apple has a “RequestReviewAction” API that shows a standard review popup window (no more than 3 times per year) so the user can rate the app without leaving it.
I’ve seen some apps use a “gated” review request where they first ask if the user loves the app. If the user answers “yes”, they open the review popup. If they say “no”, they take them to a feedback form.
As I understand it, gating RequestReviewAction is against the rules. App Review Guidelines 5.6.1 says:
>Use the provided API to prompt users to review your app; this functionality allows customers to provide an App Store rating and review without the inconvenience of leaving your app, and we will disallow custom review prompts.
I have a question about the phrase "we will disallow custom review prompts". Does that mean custom review prompts (i.e. gating) are only prohibited when using that specific API? Or is it saying that we should ONLY use RequestReviewAction to request reviews?
Many apps have a “Review this app” button in their Settings view that opens the review page in the App Store. Does that violate 5.6.1 since it’s a “custom review prompt”?
What if the “Review this app” button in the Settings view is gated (it only opens the review page on the App Store if the user indicates that they like the app)? Is that against the rules?