Why Doesn't AppReviewBot Fetch Reviews in Real-Time?
Summary
AppReviewBot checks for new reviews periodically rather than in real-time because app stores do not provide real-time capabilities and inherently delay review publication through moderation processes.
Core Constraint
App Stores Do Not Provide Real-Time APIs
Neither Apple App Store nor Google Play Store offers webhooks or push notifications for new reviews. The only method to retrieve reviews is periodic checking.
This is a platform limitation, not a choice.
App Store Processing Delays
App stores inherently delay review publication:
| App Store | Moderation Delay | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Apple App Store | 1-24 hours (avg 2-4 hours) | Manual and automated moderation |
| Google Play Store | Minutes to hours | Anti-spam measures, moderation |
Example Timeline:
12:00 PM - User submits review
2:00 PM - Review passes moderation and appears publicly
2:00 PM - Earliest any tool can detect the reviewEven if we checked constantly, reviews cannot appear faster due to app store processing.
Industry Standard
All third-party review monitoring tools use scheduled checking for the same reasons.
Native Dashboards — App Store Connect and Google Play Console:
- Show reviews as they appear
- Still subject to moderation delays (1-24 hours)
- No notifications, routing, filtering, or automation
- Requires manual checking
Questions?
See common questions in our Ratings & Reviews FAQ.