I was just wondering. Hundreds of people have paid for and downloaded my app. Only around 1 or 2 percent have left a review in the Apple App Store. All good reviews. In your opinions, do you think that it would be ethically or morally wrong or would it break any Apple rules if I held a contest for all app users, by leaving a review, good or bad, you are automatically entered to win a $25 Visa card. And maybe have 4 or 5 winners. All current reviews are automatically entered. Winners will be randomly drawn from a hat or something. Any thoughts? Dave

I think it would be a tactic to use. It may be morraly wrong (in my opinion) but I can't see it breaking Apple's rules. Just get friends and family to review it.

I once had one direction fan app, and if you gave us a five star review you got entered into a contest to get one direction tickets and it generated a lot of great 5 star reviews. But I eventually ended up taking that static down because it got to crazy and a winner was never selected.

I suppose it would depend on whose morals and ethics you're measuring by... certainly not mine, lol! But 'I' think this... That your app is 'paid' and not free, I feel it's the users prerogative to leave, or not leave a positive or negative review. If it were a free app, I feel after a certain amount of use they 'owe' you a minute of time, and I would find ways to coax them into providing a decent review. However in my case, I doubt if I'd offer them money. I'd just nag them to death ;) However, everyone thinks differently. Follow what you think will work best/hurt least in the long run. Cheers! -- Smug

I think it's a fine idea and not wrong in the least. If users had to leave good feedback to win the prize that would be different. But I see this as no different than the receipts I get at restaurants and retail stores that say "call this number and take a survey and be entered in a contest to win $1000". Of course, I always prefer the ones that give me a free sandwich guaranteed than a chance at a larger prize. ;) Probably need to look up legal disclosure requirements on contests though. (Aka no purchase necessary, purchasing will not increase your odds, blah blah blah).

THANK YOU ALL! I appreciate all of your input. Everyone has a great ideas on the subject but one anonymous poster (they PM'ed me) with MUCH more experience than me enlightened me to the ways of Apple. 3.10 Developers who attempt to manipulate or cheat the user reviews or chart ranking in the App Store with fake or paid reviews, or any other inappropriate methods will be removed from the iOS Developer Program I have decided to let it flow naturally based on Apple rules provided by he anonymous donor to my question. I also put a lot of weight on what the Great Smug wrote: "But 'I' think this... That your app is 'paid' and not free, I feel it's the users prerogative to leave, or not leave a positive or negative review." Great advice all Thank you

Ok, with permission, The Apple rule came from Fred@mySkylla and here is a link to his guide http://www.myskylla.com/articles/iOS.html#iOS03 thank you Fred!