Threads
- The Apple App Store’s review system is broken and often displays outdated and irrelevant comments, misleading users.
- With AI-generated summaries currently being tested in iOS 18.4, Apple aims to provide concise and up-to-date reviews.
- While AI has the potential to fix the broken review system, it may still struggle with misinterpretation and outdated issues.
The Apple App Store is a crucial platform for users to discover games and apps. However, its review system is not as helpful as it could be. The review system is meant to inform users about an app’s quality and whether it is worth downloading. However, outdated and irrelevant reviews often make the system less useful.
The Problems With The Current Review System
One of the main issues with the Apple App Store’s review system is showing outdated reviews. On an app’s page, users often find irrelevant or years-old comments. Sometimes, users complain about issues already fixed in updates, but the review system still displays those old comments.
One Developer has raised concerns on Reddit that the negative reviews discouraging users from downloading his app are ultimately affecting the app’s success. These outdated reviews have been a major challenge for both users and developers, as they mislead users about an app’s current quality.
Apple sorts reviews by “most helpful,” but the algorithm does not consider how old a review is. As a result, reviews written years ago appear at the top, even though apps change over time. This causes old reviews to no longer reflect the current experience of using the app or playing the game.
Users have been frustrated with this issue for years, and even in 2025, complaints continue to surface in forums. Many still see outdated reviews labeled as “Most Helpful,” despite more recent and relevant feedback being available. This ongoing problem misleads potential users and negatively affects developers.
Additionally, it is unclear how the review system determines which reviews to highlight. There is no clear rule for why certain reviews appear at the top, as Apple’s algorithm displays some reviews by default, whether positive or negative. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for users to trust the system, making the process feel unfair or random.
Moreover, developers continue to face persistent issues beyond review sorting. Many reports Apple’s unclear or incorrect app rejections, with decisions varying between reviewers. Others struggle with delays, poor communication, and repeated rejections for issues they have already fixed. These problems make the overall experience worse for the developers.
How AI Could Change The Game
Artificial Intelligence could be a potential solution to these issues. According to MacRumors, Apple is currently testing a new feature that uses AI to generate summaries of app reviews. This feature is being tested in the beta version of iOS 18.4.
Instead of displaying outdated reviews at the top, the system will provide an AI-generated summary of the key points from multiple reviews on top. This will allow users to quickly understand what people think about an app or game. A user would no longer have to scroll through pages of reviews to find what they need.
The AI analyzes numerous reviews and extracts the most important points. For example, if many users mention that a browser app is fast and efficient or praise a specific feature, the AI will highlight these details in its summary, making reviews clearer and more concise.
However, AI may not be a perfect solution. According to BBC research, AI-generated summaries have failed in the past. This suggests that AI-generated review summaries may also be prone to errors. There is also a risk that AI could highlight outdated issues or misinterpret casual language and slang in user reviews.
Despite these concerns, this AI-driven system has the potential to improve users’ interactions with app reviews. It could also make it easier to determine which apps are truly worth downloading. With time and careful development, AI might finally solve a problem that has plagued the App Store for years.
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[News Editor]
Obaid is pursuing a Law degree while working as a content writer. He has worked as a gaming writer for over three years because of his passion for the medium and reporting the latest updates in the industry. Having played hundreds of games, Obaid finds himself coming back to Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Red Dead Redemption 2, with these games being among his favorites. He has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as Wccftech, Metro UK, PS Lifestyle, GamePressure, VGC, and Gamespot.
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