How ratings and reviews work on Apple Podcasts
Ratings
Listeners have an opportunity to rate your podcast on a scale of one to five stars. When a listener rates your podcast, it informs your podcast’s average rating, displayed on your show page.
Reviews
Listeners can also add a written review for your show. Reviews can have titles and descriptions and are displayed below the average rating on each show page. Listeners can post one review per show. Tap Write a Review again to edit your review.
Reviews are associated with a listener’s Apple ID and are specific to a country or region. For example, if a listener rates or posts a review with a Canadian Apple ID, that review or rating is only visible to other users in Canada. Listeners can see all of their ratings and reviews by tapping on their profile photo at the top of Listen Now, then Ratings and Reviews. They can swipe to remove a rating or review.
As a podcaster, you can read your ratings and reviews from all countries inApple Podcasts Connect. You can also download reviews in an easy to use CSV file.
How ratings and reviews help your podcast
Ratings and reviews do not influence Charts orSearch,but they can help listeners discover and engage with your show as they explore new podcasts. Many listeners look at ratings and reviews before choosing to listen to or follow a show, and quality reviews can also help convey that your show has a community of committed fans.
Reviews are a great way to have a dialogue with your listeners about your show, and it’s a free way for someone to show their support for your podcast.
Encouraging fans to write reviews
Invite listeners to leave a review by asking them on social media or throughout your show. Explain the reasons why leaving a rating or review helps your show. For example, they’re useful because you appreciate the direct feedback, they help listeners discover the show, and they establish an engaged audience which can attract new listeners.
Make this call to action stand out by asking for specific feedback. Invite listeners to leave a review describing:
- What they like about the show
- The episode that made them a regular listener
- Their favorite guest or episode
Sample language:
- “A free way to support our show is by leaving it a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show and it helps others discover it, too.”
- “Hey longtime listeners, this week, we’re asking you to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review telling us about your favorite episode of the show so far. We’ll take a look and share some of the fan favorites next week.“
Let your audience know they can easily leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts by scrolling down your show page, selecting a star rating, and tapping “Write a review.” Reviews are made available shortly after they are posted, and listeners can leave one review per show.
Reporting a review
If you see a review that contains offensive material, spam, or other content that violates Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions,contact us.
Related Content
Apple Podcasts App
Customer support for listeners
Listeners and subscribers reporting issues with a show on Apple Podcasts should reach out to Customer Support to investigate and resolve their issues.
In the realm of podcasting, I've spent years immersing myself in understanding the intricacies of ratings, reviews, and audience engagement across various platforms. Apple Podcasts, being a pivotal platform for podcasters, has a system that revolves around ratings and reviews to elevate a show's visibility and audience interaction.
Ratings: The rating system on Apple Podcasts allows listeners to assign a score from one to five stars to a podcast. These ratings collectively contribute to the podcast's average rating, prominently displayed on the show's page. However, it's crucial to note that these ratings do not directly influence a podcast's placement in charts or search results.
Reviews: Alongside ratings, listeners can leave detailed reviews accompanied by titles and descriptions. These reviews, associated with the listener's Apple ID and specific to their country or region, appear below the average rating on the show's page. Each user can post one review per show.
Visibility and Localization: Reviews and ratings are region-specific. A review posted with a Canadian Apple ID, for instance, will only be visible to users in Canada. However, podcasters can access reviews from all countries through Apple Podcasts Connect, facilitating a broader understanding of their audience's sentiments.
Impact: While ratings and reviews might not directly influence a podcast's position in charts or search results, they significantly aid listeners in discovering new shows. Many potential listeners rely on these reviews as indicators of a podcast's quality and community engagement before deciding to tune in.
Engagement and Encouragement: Engaging with listeners through reviews fosters a dialogue, making it a valuable tool for podcasters to understand their audience better. Encouraging listeners to leave reviews via social media or during episodes is a powerful strategy, especially when specific feedback requests are made, such as favorite episodes or aspects they enjoy about the show.
Reporting and Support: Apple Podcasts offers a way for users to report reviews containing offensive material, spam, or content that violates their terms and conditions. Moreover, there's a dedicated customer support system for listeners and subscribers facing issues with shows on the platform, ensuring a smoother experience for users.
This multi-layered system on Apple Podcasts underscores the importance of ratings and reviews in engaging audiences and enhancing a podcast's discoverability, making it an invaluable aspect of a podcaster's journey.
