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Rating Velocity

The rate at which an app accumulates new ratings and reviews over time. A signal of active user engagement that can influence app store rankings and conversion.

app store optimization engagement metrics conversion rate

Rating velocity measures how quickly your app receives new ratings and reviews. A steady stream of recent reviews signals to both algorithms and users that the app is actively used and maintained.

Why Rating Velocity Matters

For rankings: App store algorithms may factor review recency and velocity into ranking calculations. An app with 10 new reviews this week is a stronger engagement signal than an app with the same total reviews but none in the past month.

For conversion: Users look at recent reviews more than old ones. An app whose most recent review is from six months ago appears abandoned, regardless of its total rating count.

Improving Rating Velocity

  • Use the SKStoreReviewController API (iOS) to prompt users for ratings at optimal moments
  • Time prompts after positive experiences (completing a task, achieving a goal, using a key feature)
  • Don’t prompt too frequently (Apple limits the prompt to 3 times per year)
  • Respond to reviews in App Store Connect to encourage further engagement
  • Fix bugs quickly to prevent negative review bursts

Handling Negative Rating Velocity

A sudden increase in negative reviews can tank your conversion rate and eventually your rankings. Monitor review sentiment daily. If negative reviews spike after an update, prioritize a bug fix release and respond to affected users in App Store Connect.