On Aug 16, 11:06 pm, Mark Carter <[email protected]> wrote: > On 17 August 2010 03:15, Doug <[email protected]> wrote: > > I think user retention rate is a great ingredient to add to the > > "special sauce" of a ranking algorithm because it's an indicator of > > satisfied customers. That's something you can't derive from download > > activity. > > I think of a satisfied user as one who believes the app does what it is > intended to do and does it better than any other app. Retention rate is not > a good measure for this, IMHO.
Retention is not a perfect measure, and neither is rating. That's why I said it's a great ingredient to add to the overall algorithm. Together, retention and rating can increase the confidence of an algorithm to rank better apps higher. Here's why retention in flawed: - It doesn't take into account a user's preference to commit to one app over another given that both apps perform the same function equally well. (There's no accounting for taste!) - It doesn't take into account users who have lost interest in the app over time, regardless of its overall quality and ability to satisfy. (e.g. games with no replay value, but a fantastic beginning to end experience) - It isn't able to understand a user's need to make space for new stuff. An uninstall may be "regrettable but necessary" but we have no idea if or how that factors into the overall ranking. And here's why ratings are flawed: - "Ignorant users" who fail to understand an app's purpose and use (e.g. "sucks, uninstall - 1 star") - "Withholding users" who use ratings as a manipulation (e.g. "More stars when you implement feature X") - "Exuberant users" who rate on first impression rather than deep understanding Very rarely do I see an honest rating for any app that says "great app but not for me"! > I get the impression that the vast majority of downloads are from "curious" > users. I only really get that impression for free apps and not paid apps. I'm mostly concerned about paid apps here. I believe that users who are forced to put their money on the line are more likely to actually read about and understand what it is they're about to authorize, especially if there is a free version. My free trial app is a dumping ground for ignorant comments and ratings and I've lost all interest in using it as a benchmark for anything useful. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the way it's crippled. Many Android users have this strange notion that everything should be really free! Doug -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en
