Are App Store Reviews Real? Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath Calls Out Fake Ratings on Google and Apple

Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath has raised concerns about the authenticity of app reviews on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, suggesting that many 5-star ratings seem fake or AI-generated. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamath questioned whether these reviews could be part of a parallel economy, where app developers buy positive ratings to rank higher.

“Are These Reviews Even Real?”

Kamath, after analyzing Zerodha’s reviews and comparing them to other financial apps in India, noticed a pattern. “Most of the 5-star reviews seem fake—many even read like AI-generated content,” he observed. He further speculated that some apps may be forced or willingly buying ratings to gain visibility.

His claims are supported by a report from DoubleVerify, which revealed a threefold increase in AI-generated 5-star reviews in 2024 compared to 2023. The report warned that fake reviews not only mislead users but also pose security risks, as some fraudulent apps can hijack devices, causing battery drain, overheating, and excessive data consumption.

How Users Reacted

Kamath’s post sparked a conversation, with many users on X agreeing that fake reviews are a major problem.

One user likened it to “The blind leading the blind,” highlighting how misleading reviews waste users’ time and trust.

Another noted that services offering fake ratings exist across multiple platforms, not just app stores.

A third suggested a new platform for verifying genuine feedback, as fabricated ratings plague almost every online space.

With AI-generated reviews on the rise, Kamath’s warning is a reminder for users to do their own research before trusting an app’s ratings.

News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”