Customer Reviews (100)

John Roosevelt • 2025-03-21T19:46:07.691Z

I love this app and use it all the time.

Hannah K. • 2025-03-21T05:58:19.355Z

Handy app for finding a good range of recipes and saving them for later.

Roy Spungin • 2025-03-20T05:21:04.761Z

lots of variety and dishes with spunk from an endless variety of cultures....fun and expansive but, of course, delicious

Summary of Key Insights

The NYT Cooking app generally receives positive feedback, with users praising its extensive recipe collection, ease of use, and helpful community comments. However, recent updates, particularly the increased focus on video content, have generated significant criticism. Users also report issues with search functionality, app stability (offline errors), and the presence of ads despite a paid subscription. The app's strengths lie in its recipe quality and user-friendly interface, but its weaknesses are centered around recent UI/UX changes and technical glitches. The overall sentiment is positive, but trending downwards due to recent updates.

  • Overall Rating: High (based on a high percentage of 5-star reviews)
  • Key Strengths: Extensive recipe library, ease of use, helpful community comments.
  • Key Weaknesses: Recent video-heavy updates, search functionality, app stability (offline errors), ads in paid subscription, lack of dark mode.
  • Score Distribution: 5-star (60%), 4-star (7%), 3-star (8%), 2-star (12%), 1-star (13%)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on the reviews, it appears to be a recent snapshot, likely within the past few months, given the recurring complaints about the "new" video-heavy update.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on the expressed opinions.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently used words and phrases to pinpoint recurring themes and issues.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting the number of times specific issues or features were mentioned.

Key User Pain Points

  • Excessive Video Content: The most significant pain point is the recent update that heavily features videos on the home screen and recipe pages. Users find these videos distracting, irrelevant, and detrimental to the app's usability for recipe browsing.
  • Poor Search Functionality: Many users complain about the app's search capabilities, stating that it's difficult to find recipes unless the exact name is known.
  • App Stability Issues ("Offline" Errors): Several users report frequent "offline" errors, even when connected to the internet, preventing them from accessing saved recipes and other features.
  • Ads in Paid Subscription: Users are frustrated by the presence of advertisements despite paying for a subscription.
  • Lack of Dark Mode: The absence of a dark mode is a recurring complaint, particularly for users who prefer to cook in low-light environments or are sensitive to bright screens.
  • Grocery List Issues: Users report inconsistencies and limitations with the grocery list function, including difficulties adding multiple meals to a single list.
  • Navigation Issues: Some users have experienced problems with navigation, such as the phone's back button not working within the app, or being returned to the top of the page after viewing a recipe.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Dark Mode: A dark mode is a frequently requested feature to improve usability in low-light conditions.
  • Improved Search Functionality: Users want a more robust search engine that allows them to find recipes based on ingredients, cuisine types, or dietary restrictions.
  • Enhanced Grocery List Functionality: Users desire the ability to add multiple recipes to a single grocery list and more intuitive list management.
  • Print Option: A direct print option within the app is requested, eliminating the need to share recipes to a browser for printing.
  • Kosher Filter: The addition of a Kosher filter under Diet type is requested.
  • Landscape Orientation: Users with tablets would like landscape orientation support.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Extensive Recipe Library: Users consistently praise the vast collection of recipes from The New York Times.
  • Easy to Use: Many users find the app easy to navigate and user-friendly.
  • Helpful Community Comments: The comments section, where users share their experiences, modifications, and tips, is highly valued.
  • Clear Instructions: Recipes are generally described as easy to follow with clear instructions.
  • Inspiration: The app provides inspiration for new meal ideas and encourages culinary exploration.
  • Metric Conversion: The metric conversion feature is appreciated by international users.
  • Responsive Customer Service: At least one user reported a positive experience with the app's customer service.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Video Content Concerns: Re-evaluate the prominence and placement of video content. Consider making videos optional or moving them to a separate tab to avoid disrupting recipe browsing.
  • Fix App Stability Issues: Investigate and resolve the "offline" errors that prevent users from accessing the app's features.
  • Remove Ads from Paid Subscription: Eliminate advertisements for paying subscribers to improve the user experience and fulfill subscription expectations.
  • Improve Search Functionality: Enhance the search engine to allow for more flexible and accurate recipe discovery.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Dark Mode: Add a dark mode option to cater to users who prefer a darker interface.
  • Enhance Grocery List Functionality: Improve the grocery list feature by allowing users to add multiple recipes, manage lists more effectively, and share lists easily.
  • Address Navigation Issues: Resolve the back button problems and ensure users are returned to their previous position after viewing a recipe.
  • Add a Kosher Filter: Implement a Kosher filter under Diet type.

Low Priority:

  • Add Print Option: Implement a print option directly within the app.
  • Implement Landscape Orientation: Implement landscape orientation for tablet users.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Personalized Recipe Recommendations Engine: A startup could focus on building a highly personalized recipe recommendation engine that learns user preferences, dietary restrictions, and available ingredients.
  • AI-Powered Cooking Assistant App: Develop an app that uses AI to provide real-time cooking guidance, suggest substitutions, and adjust recipes based on available ingredients.
  • Interactive Cooking Community Platform: Create a platform that connects home cooks, allows them to share recipes, collaborate on meal planning, and participate in cooking challenges.
  • Smart Grocery List App with Recipe Integration: Design a grocery list app that seamlessly integrates with recipe apps and automatically generates shopping lists based on selected recipes, considering existing pantry items and dietary needs.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Shift: There's a clear trend of declining sentiment due to recent updates that prioritize video content over recipe browsing.
  • Focus on User Experience: Users are highly sensitive to changes that negatively impact the app's usability and navigation.
  • Importance of Stability: App stability and reliability are crucial for user satisfaction. Frequent errors can quickly lead to frustration and app abandonment.
  • Value of Community: The community comments section is a valuable asset that enhances the user experience.
  • Monetization Concerns: Users are increasingly critical of monetization strategies that detract from the user experience, such as ads in paid subscriptions.

Conclusion

The NYT Cooking app has a strong foundation with its extensive recipe library and user-friendly interface. However, recent updates that prioritize video content have negatively impacted user sentiment and usability. Addressing these concerns, along with improving search functionality, app stability, and monetization practices, is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and preventing churn. By focusing on core recipe discovery and providing a seamless user experience, the NYT Cooking app can retain its position as a leading cooking resource. A return to a recipes-first approach is highly recommended.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nytimes.cooking