Apps Under (rating) attack

[carlie-o]

I guess most of you have heard about the recent rating-attacks on the android market.

Apparently, there are now companies that offers bad ratings for competitors.

And simple mathematics says that if you are having a 4,5 stars average, and then get 20 one-star rating - you will need A LOT of 5-stars to get up to the 4.5 stars average again.

It happened to me, and I wonder if any one has any tip on what to do?

Ratings gives traffic, and traffic pays the bills.

As I see it, I have some alternatives:
1. Discontinue the app and ask users to download a new one with a new package name but same content (start all over again)
2. Call all my friends and collegues and try to get the vast number of 5-star ratings needed to get to the 4,5 average again.
3. Just admit that i

 

[carlie-o]

And it continues:


5 stars 17
4 stars 7
3 stars 2
2 stars 0
1 star 23

 

[Deleted User]

This is incredible. Can't you submit a complaint to Google? Of course, I'm just talking out of my backside, but I can't think that, that is legal and acceptable?

 

[KlaymenDK]

This is the first I've heard of this kind of meddling, but I guess every complex ecosystem has its wasps.

Especially if this is an up-and-coming "threat" to the market, I'd advise you to inform Google -- it may not be strictly against their rules as they are now, but if enough merchants complain they're bound to do something about it. Maybe you'll be the first to complain -- maybe you'll be the one tipping the scales.

Good luck.

 

[idavis]

Wow. That's a horrible situation. I would think my first step would be to contact Google:

Contact Us - Android Market Help

I really hope this doesn't become a widespread problem.

 

[carlie-o]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Of course i

 

[carlie-o]

Here comes a direkt link to the application on the android market

Thanks

 

[iPhail]

Sorry but its not any kind of attack, I think people just generally dont like your app. From what it seems: too much ads, too much internet use (slow), app isnt very useful (its called google images).

 

[carlie-o]

That would be one explanation,

but i guess you have not downloaded the app to see for yourself?

There is not a lot of ads, it is not slow, and is not comparable to google images.

And comments like these are simply not true:
by shauna ann (January 31, 2011)
Hides itself in program list. I would avoid this

As you can see, the distribution of ratings is really unpropitious, with a lot 4 or 5, and then nothing, some, and then a lot of 1 star.

And the one star all came in a very short time-frame.

Maybe you are right, but isn