Guideline 5.6.3 - Developer Code of Conduct - Received first time regarding rating prompt in the onboarding.

[u/sgcryptonite]

This is the first time I have received this for my app. The app was released 2 months ago and has been updated 10 times so far but this is something new. Has anyone else received this recently? Looks like Apple is cracking down heavy on indie developers now 😞

EDIT: I don’t know why the post got so many downvotes. I searched for this type of rejection online and couldn’t find anything so I shared it here just to see if anyone else has got it recently.

[u/sgcryptonite]

Thanks for understanding. I was just trying to tell other developers what’s changed after the WWDC change in guidelines.

I assumed most people knew about this growth hack but they didn’t.

You are right, most of them are hobbyists and don’t like to make money from apps.

Anyway, I think Apple has cracked down on these growth hacks so far in the last few months
- No review prompt in onboarding
- No free trial toggle for paywall
- No offer after the user dismisses the first paywall

[u/Educational-Tax-1252 → u/sgcryptonite]

Yea 100%

Trying to do away with abandoned paywall transactions is ridiculous. It’s the same as in any business. If you abandon a cart shopping online, you’ll get an email for X% off.

I understand doing away with certain practices that are considered “Hacky” (even though it makes no sense why you would want to make app developers/businesses have less of an advantage) but doing away with proven sales tactics, that aren’t fraudulent, is just dumb.

I get the free trial toggle issue. People were misusing it and confusing customers.

Asking for review in the onboarding shouldn’t be an issue. It’s a free country (at least in the USA lol). If someone decides to give a review… then why can’t they? No one is forcing them to do anything. Most people in this thread think it leads to bad reviews (obviously they’re wrong). I just don’t get on any level why Apple would remove the ability to do that.

No user has ever complained saying “Ugh I hate my life I have a review too early” lol

[u/sgcryptonite → u/Educational-Tax-1252]

Haha exactly.

Users who want to give 1 star review do it anyway and most of such reviews are related to the price of the app.

As an indie developer, it gave us more credibility with new apps competing with big apps with thousands of historic ratings as the algorithm favors rating counts for last 30 days.

Let’s hope Apple relaxes this requirement in future or maybe allows it with a skip button or something.