Why Export App Store Reviews?
Exporting app store reviews to a spreadsheet is a crucial task for developers and agencies aiming to analyze feedback efficiently. It allows for better data handling, more sophisticated analysis, and easier sharing with your team. Whether you're tracking sentiment over time or identifying recurring issues, having your reviews in a spreadsheet is invaluable.
Using Apple's App Store Connect
The App Store Connect platform provides a direct way to access your app's reviews. Here's how you can export reviews:
- Log in to App Store Connect: Navigate to App Store Connect → My Apps.
- Select Your App: Choose the app for which you want to export reviews.
- Go to Reviews: Inside your app's dashboard, click on Activity → Ratings and Reviews.
- Copy Reviews Manually: Unfortunately, App Store Connect doesn't offer a direct export feature. You need to manually copy the reviews or use a third-party tool to automate the process.
Automating the Process with ReviewTower
Manually copying reviews can be time-consuming, especially for apps with a large volume of feedback. This is where ReviewTower comes in handy. ReviewTower allows you to gather reviews from the App Store and export them directly to a spreadsheet.
- Set Up Your Account: Sign up for ReviewTower and connect your App Store account by navigating to Dashboard → Integrations.
- Automate Export: Once connected, ReviewTower provides an option to export reviews. Simply go to Reviews → Export and choose your preferred format, such as CSV or Excel.
- Receive Instant Alerts: ReviewTower also sends instant email notifications when new reviews are posted, ensuring you never miss critical feedback.
Using Third-Party Tools and Scripts
If you prefer not to use ReviewTower, you can also leverage various scripts and third-party tools available online. For instance, using Python's requests library with Apple's API can automate review fetching. Here's a basic outline:
import requests
url = 'https://itunes.apple.com/rss/customerreviews/id={APP_ID}/json'
response = requests.get(url)
data = response.json()
# Extract reviews and write to CSV
with open('reviews.csv', 'w') as file:
for entry in data['feed']['entry']:
file.write(f"{entry['author']['name']['label']}, {entry['content']['label']}, {entry['im:rating']['label']}\n")
Replace {APP_ID} with your actual application ID. This script fetches reviews and writes them to a CSV file, which you can open in Excel or Google Sheets.
Conclusion
Exporting app store reviews to a spreadsheet is not as straightforward as it should be, especially if you're relying solely on App Store Connect. However, with the right tools like ReviewTower or custom scripts, you can streamline the process significantly. This capability not only saves time but also enhances your ability to analyze and act on user feedback effectively.