Before I download and app, regardless if it is free or paid I always check the rating. How many starts the apps has got. If it is a popular apps with low rating I usually also check the comments. Therefore I’m very surprised when apps with only a start or two, with almost entirely negative comments reach up on the top list.
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Is it because I’m the only one who readers other comments, or could it be that people want to try for themselves. Or could it be that apple has not succeeded in optimizing this function?
Though it might like the idea of standing out, I think my first reason I rather unlikely. The second I don’t believe in that much either, since people in general are rather lazy, and usually believe in what everyone else says. If I would tell someone that the hamburger place on the corner sucks I doubt that many would go. If 10 other people said the same thing as me, I believe that number would be even lower.
The only option left (in my mind) is that apples system on rating is not user friendly enough. People might see the star rating but feel that the comments are two difficult to find, or might not even know where they are. Therefore they try the apps themselves instead of listening to others. “The app might be good for me, as I don’t know why others don’t like it”.
Another reason could be that most people only rate apps when they throw them away, meaning that apps which people don’t want to keep are more likely to be reviewed than those that people are currently using.
What do you think? Do you care about the iPhone apps rating?
I work as a web development manager at a swedish telecom carrier. I write about tips, tools and examples for better web experiences. 
