User Reviews Filter Now Available for Developers in Market Console
Google has added a nifty little tool allowing developers to filter the reviews their apps have received in the Developer Console. Most developers should be seeing the notification once they log in to their Android Market Developer’s account.
The tool allows developers’ to segregate reviews based on language, app version, star rating, and most importantly (in my eyes), devices. It’s a good move on Google’s part, especially considering the importance reviews and ratings have in the ranking of apps in the Market. But it’s far from sufficient.
The main request developers have had for quite awhile is some form of easy communication between users and themselves. True, there’s an “E-Mail the developer” option, but it’s far from enough. Some of the comments made by users are flat out funny. For example, a user simply gave my little Talking Watch app one star and said “It’s not a talking watch”. There’s nothing I can do about it… that review is going to stay there forever unless the user removes it.
In fact, it was only last week that I posted on Google+ about this issue. Do note that the solution offered is something out of the top of my head, it’s very much possible that there’s a better way to handle it.
I must add that the Market has matured a lot in the past 6 months, and I’m seeing a lot more thoughtful user reviews than before. Hopefully this is a sign that Google will continue to develop tools and resources for developers to better serve their community of users.