App Store Review Insights in Under 10 Minutes with ChatGPT

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by

Tara
in , ,

App store reviews can be a valuable resource for tapping into immediate user feedback and identifying trends. With the help of ChatGPT you can extract some meaningful insights with minimal effort.

Here’s a quick, step-by-step guide on how to use ChatGPT to transform the traditionally tedious task of review analysis into a swift and straightforward exercise you can do in 10 minutes or less.

Step 1: Get the Apple ID

For this example we’ll use one of my favorites, the Clue app. Go to the App Store page on a desktop browser and get the URL. At the end of the URL will be the app’s Apple ID, for Clue it’s 657189652.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clue-period-tracker-calendar/id657189652
For Android apps

For Android you can select and copy reviews directly from the modal that pops-up when you click on ‘Ratings and reviews’ link on the app store page. You can copy all the content as in this screen and paste it into ChatGPT. Clue app in the Play store.

The Play store allows you to copy more than the recent 50 so be aware of how many you’re trying to paste in so you don’t exceed your rate limit.

Step 2: Get the RSS feed

In order to get the reviews in a format we can give to ChatGPT we can use an RSS feed.

Copy and past this URL into your browser and replace the ID portion with the ID for your app.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/rss/customerreviews/id=657189652/sortBy=mostRecent/xml

This will return the most recent 50 reviews in RSS format.

The page will look like this. If you want to see the most helpful reviews, just replace “mostRecent” in the RSS URL with “mostHelpful”. Unfortunately they don’t allow results for most favorable or critical.

Step 3: Copy reviews

Now select and copy all 50 reviews.

It’s ok to that the copy include all the other code tags and content.

Step 4: Paste into ChatGPT

Paste everything you just copied into ChatGPT. You can confirm you’ve done it correctly by asking Chat to confirm it can read the data before you make the paste.

Hi Chat, here is the app review data below, please confirm you can read this.

Once you see the confirmation from ChatGPT that it worked, the hard part is done.

Step 5: Analyze with prompts

Now you can use different prompts to help extract some insights.

Here are four example prompts and their responses based on the most recent reviews for the Clue app.

1. Impact of Recent Updates on User Experience

Example prompt:

Analyze the reviews focusing specifically on the recent updates to the app. Identify and summarize both positive and negative impacts these updates have had on user experience. Suggest potential improvements or changes that could address the negative impacts mentioned by users.
ChatGPT Response

Analyzing the reviews focused on recent updates, it’s evident that these updates have had both beneficial and detrimental effects on user experience.

Positive Impacts:

  • Some users appreciate enhancements in the app’s tracking accuracy and functionality, which have improved their overall experience.

Negative Impacts:

  • Increased Monetization: Many users are unhappy with more frequent ads and essential features moving behind a paywall, feeling it detracts from the app’s usability.
  • User Interface Complications: Updates have complicated the UI, frustrating users who preferred the simplicity of the earlier versions.
  • Data Accessibility Issues: Long-time users are particularly frustrated that access to historical data now requires a paid subscription, which many see as unfair.

Suggested Improvements:

  1. Adjust Monetization Strategy: Consider less intrusive ad placements and explore alternatives like a one-time purchase for premium features.
  2. Simplify the UI: Revert to a simpler design that emphasizes ease of use, possibly based on user feedback and testing.
  3. Ensure Data Accessibility: Allow all users access to their historical data, reinforcing trust and user satisfaction.
  4. Increase Transparency: Communicate openly about the reasons for significant updates, helping users understand changes and maintaining loyalty.
  5. Incorporate User Feedback More Actively: Use user input more effectively in the development process to ensure updates align with their needs and expectations.

These changes could help balance the commercial needs of the app with maintaining a positive user experience.

2. Sentiment on Pricing, Paywalls and Ads

Example prompt:

Can you summarize the sentiment and main points of concern regarding the pricing structure, use of paywalls and ads in the recent app update.
Chat GPT Response

The sentiment surrounding the pricing structure, use of paywalls, and ads in the recent app update is predominantly negative among users. Here’s a summary of the main points of concern:

  1. Frustration with Paywalls: Users are particularly upset about essential features that were once free now being locked behind a paywall. This shift has made the app less accessible and diminished the user experience, especially for long-time users accustomed to these features at no cost.
  2. Intrusive Ads: There is significant dissatisfaction with the frequency and intrusiveness of ads in the app. Users report that ads are disruptive to the app’s functionality, popping up too frequently and making the app difficult to navigate.
  3. Perceived Greediness: The aggressive push towards monetization through more ads and paywalls has led to perceptions of greediness on the part of the app developers. Users feel this approach prioritizes profit over user experience.
  4. Loss of Trust and Value: The new pricing model and increased monetization efforts have led to a loss of trust among users. They feel the app is no longer prioritizing their needs, and as a result, the perceived value of the app has decreased.

Addressing these concerns could involve revising the monetization strategy to strike a better balance between profitability and user satisfaction, potentially restoring trust and improving the overall user experience.

3. Desired Features and Improvements

Example prompt:

Identify the top features and improvements users are requesting. Please make direct reference to user feedback. Summarize how these requests align with user dissatisfaction or praise for existing app functionalities.
ChatGPT Response

Top Requested Features:

  1. Reduction of Ads and Paywalls:
    • User Feedback: Many users express frustration over the increase in ads and the introduction of paywalls for previously free features. Users request a return to a less intrusive ad model and more accessible core features without subscription barriers.
    • Examples: “I miss when there wasn’t an ad that popped up to subscribe every time you log something. If I wanted to subscribe I would have by now.” – Review by NaiiNayy.
    • Examples: “I have been using Clue for well over 8 years, and I feel cheated that I have been logging my personal information in an app that then locks me out from seeing my YEARS of data to force me into a paid subscription.” – Review by dgsysyw.
  2. Enhanced Data Accessibility:
    • User Feedback: Users are seeking better access to their historical data and analysis without needing a premium subscription. This request aligns with dissatisfaction regarding how data is now behind a paywall.
    • Examples: “They’ve also taken away the ability to see your past cycle data laid out in a visually coherent way unless you upgrade to paid.” – Review by Meghdolan.
  3. Improved Notification and Ad Settings:
    • User Feedback: There’s a clear desire for more control over notifications and fewer disruptive ads. Users want the ability to customize what notifications they receive and when, especially to avoid ads that feel aggressive or poorly timed.
    • Examples: “Every day at least I’ve gotten a new ad about some sale. I’m considering deleting it and getting a different app.” – Review by Gabbyyyyy123482.
  4. User Interface (UI) Improvements:
    • User Feedback: Some users mention that the app’s UI has become more cumbersome to navigate with recent updates. They desire a simpler, more intuitive interface.
    • Examples: “Now the app itself feels over-engineered for no reason and I can’t open it or tap within the app without getting bombarded with ads about upgrading.” – Review by Gg120992.

Alignment with User Dissatisfaction or Praise:

  • The requests for reduced ads and paywalls directly correlate with the dissatisfaction expressed over the app becoming more monetized and less user-focused.
  • The desire for improved access to historical data and analysis features aligns with the praise the app previously received for its comprehensive tracking and insightful analytics, suggesting a disconnect between what users valued and the current state of the app.
  • Calls for better notification settings and UI improvements reflect a broader frustration with the app’s usability and responsiveness to user needs.

4. General App Performance and Reliability

Example Prompt: 

Provide a short bulleted summary of user feedback concerning the overall performance and reliability of the app, including any recurring issues or glitches mentioned since the last update.
ChatGPT Response

Here’s a brief summary of the user feedback on the overall performance and reliability of the app, including any mentioned issues or glitches since the last update:

  • Performance Issues: Some users have encountered performance-related issues such as slow response times, app crashes, and occasional unresponsiveness.
  • Data Syncing Problems: There are reports of problems with data syncing, especially when switching between devices or updating the app.
  • Notification Reliability: Users have noted that notifications are not always timely or consistent, which impacts the app’s reliability for tracking important reminders.
  • Glitches with New Features: New features introduced in the latest updates seem to have brought glitches that affect user experience, including trouble accessing certain functionalities that were previously seamless.
  • Login and Accessibility Issues: A few users have reported difficulties logging into their accounts or accessing the app, especially post-update, which may be linked to server or authentication problems.

Addressing these issues could significantly enhance the user experience and restore confidence in the app’s reliability and performance.

Other prompts to explore

Here are some questions you might consider to help you create prompts for the insights you’re looking for…

  • What unique features could we introduce that address common pain points not yet solved by our competitors?
  • Considering current user frustrations with paywalls, what innovative access models could we develop that might set us apart?
  • How can we leverage emerging technologies like AI/AR/etc. to enhance our app’s functionality and user engagement?
  • What partnerships or integrations could we pursue that would offer unique value to our users and differentiate us from other apps?
  • Can we develop a feature that uses community-driven content or collaboration to enhance the user experience and stand out in the marketplace?
  • What keywords are currently underutilized by our competitors that we could target to improve our app’s search visibility?
  • How can we use positive review feedback from app reviews to in our app store description/marketing content/ads etc. to build credibility and trust?
  • What strategies can we implement to encourage more reviews and higher ratings?
  • How can we do a better job of responding to negative reviews as well as feature and fix suggestions?

Keep in mind that while app store reviews offer a quick and straightforward way to tap into recent user feedback, they are just one piece of the puzzle. These reviews are a valuable snapshot of user sentiment, providing immediate insights and highlighting key trends. Easily apply this process to analyze your competitors’ reviews too. With enough data, you can also explore user segmentation and sentiments to craft unique messaging strategies.

If you’re looking to do something more seriously and ongoing to turn unstructured data into structured data, you might want to check out a tool like Kraftful which would allow you to do this and much much more.

As always, would love to hear if you’ve tried this or have any other feedback!