Customer Reviews (100)

Kathy Phillips • 2025-03-25T00:32:02.798Z

love this App. It is very helpful, especially if I am preparing dishes that I am not familiar with. it is always a big help to have the you tube videos. love your App and you tube.

Anthony Prinze • 2025-03-21T22:57:26.256Z

why do you make it impossible to launch your app by typing in "America"

Ann Cramer • 2025-03-19T14:24:01.640Z

I made these for the mens breakfast at church....Rave reviews.... months later the men are still telling me how much they liked them.

Summary of Key Insights

The America's Test Kitchen app is generally well-received, with users praising the quality of the recipes, ease of use, and helpfulness of the videos. However, several pain points emerge, primarily related to the subscription model, app stability (crashing/freezing), and desired feature enhancements (dark mode, improved search, metric units). The overall sentiment is positive, reflected in the high percentage of 5-star reviews, but the negative reviews highlight critical usability and accessibility issues that need addressing.

Overall Rating: High (dominated by 5-star reviews)

Score Distribution:

  • 5-star: 76%
  • 4-star: 5%
  • 3-star: 3%
  • 2-star: 0%
  • 1-star: 16%

Key Strengths: High-quality, well-tested recipes; ease of use; helpful videos.

Key Weaknesses: Subscription model complaints; app instability (crashing/freezing); lack of dark mode; search limitations; missing metric units.

Data & Methodology Overview

Data Sample Size: 100 reviews Time Frame: Not specified in the provided data, assumed to be a recent snapshot. Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (manual interpretation of review text), keyword extraction (identifying frequently mentioned terms and phrases).

Key User Pain Points

  • Subscription Model: A significant number of 1-star reviews express frustration with the paywall and the requirement for a subscription to access the app's content. Users who already subscribe to the magazine or website feel they shouldn't have to pay extra for the app.
  • App Instability: Crashing and freezing issues are reported, particularly after recent updates. This severely impacts usability and leads to frustration.
  • Search Limitations: Users struggle with multi-word searches and desire a multi-ingredient search feature. The ability to filter search results more effectively is also requested.
  • Lack of Dark Mode: Several users request a dark mode for easier viewing in low-light conditions.
  • Missing Metric Units: Users outside the US frequently request the option to display measurements in metric units.
  • Account Creation Issues: Some users reported difficulties creating accounts.
  • App Going Dark During Use: Some users have experienced the app going offline while in the middle of following a recipe.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Dark Mode: A significant number of users explicitly request a dark mode.
  • Improved Search: Multi-word search, multi-ingredient search, and better filtering options are desired.
  • Metric Units: An option to display measurements in metric units.
  • Adjustable Meal Portions: The ability to scale recipes for different serving sizes.
  • Recipe Notes: A section within the app to add personal notes to recipes.
  • "Made" and "Want to Make" Labels: A way to categorize saved recipes.
  • Independent Scrolling of Ingredients: In landscape view, the ability to scroll the ingredients list independently from the recipe instructions.
  • Download Option: The ability to download recipes for offline use.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • High-Quality Recipes: Users consistently praise the quality, reliability, and deliciousness of the recipes. The "Why This Recipe Works" explanations are highly valued.
  • Easy to Use: Many users find the app easy to navigate and user-friendly.
  • Helpful Videos: The inclusion of videos is appreciated, especially for unfamiliar dishes.
  • Comprehensive Content: Users value the combination of recipes, product reviews, and TV show episodes.
  • Customization: Users appreciate the ability to save favorite recipes and add personal notes.
  • Accurate Search: Some users feel the search function has improved.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address App Stability Issues: Immediately investigate and fix the reported crashing and freezing problems. This is a critical usability issue.
  • Re-evaluate Subscription Model: Consider offering a more flexible subscription model or providing limited free access to certain content. The current paywall is a major deterrent for some users.
  • Improve Search Functionality: Implement multi-word search, multi-ingredient search, and better filtering options.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Dark Mode: Add a dark mode option to improve the user experience in low-light conditions.
  • Add Metric Units: Provide an option to display measurements in metric units.
  • Fix Account Creation Issues: Resolve the reported problems with account creation.
  • Offer Download Option: Allow users to download recipes for offline use.

Low Priority:

  • Adjustable Meal Portions: Add the ability to scale recipes for different serving sizes.
  • Recipe Notes: Include a section within the app to add personal notes to recipes.
  • "Made" and "Want to Make" Labels: Implement a way to categorize saved recipes.
  • Independent Scrolling of Ingredients: In landscape view, the ability to scroll the ingredients list independently from the recipe instructions.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Personalized Recipe Recommendations Engine: A system that learns user preferences and suggests recipes based on their dietary restrictions, preferred cuisines, and available ingredients.
  • Smart Shopping List Integration: Integration with grocery delivery services to automatically add ingredients from selected recipes to a shopping cart.
  • Interactive Cooking Guidance: Real-time, step-by-step cooking guidance with voice control and visual aids, adapting to the user's pace and skill level.
  • Community Recipe Sharing Platform: A platform within the app where users can share their own recipes and variations on existing recipes.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Positive Sentiment: The app enjoys a generally positive reputation for the quality of its content.
  • Subscription Fatigue: Negative reviews often cite subscription fatigue as a reason for not using the app.
  • Focus on Usability: Recent reviews highlight the importance of app stability and ease of navigation.
  • Feature Requests Remain Consistent: The requests for dark mode, metric units, and improved search have been recurring themes for some time.

Conclusion

The America's Test Kitchen app offers valuable cooking resources, but usability issues and subscription model concerns are hindering its potential. Addressing the app stability problems and re-evaluating the subscription model are critical first steps. Implementing the frequently requested features, such as dark mode and metric units, would further enhance the user experience and improve overall satisfaction. By focusing on these improvements, America's Test Kitchen can solidify its position as a leading recipe app.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize bug fixes and subscription model adjustments to improve user satisfaction and app stability.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.americastestkitchen.groceryapp