Customer Reviews (500)

Nancy/Grammy • 2025-03-26T18:50:47-07:00

Great app, we live in CA so we get earthquakes.

nicnname99 • 2025-03-25T04:23:09-07:00

This is a great app

Nanamine3 • 2025-03-24T19:02:19-07:00

With family all over the world I feel glad to stay on top of earthquakes as they happen.

Summary of Key Insights

QuakeFeed Earthquake Tracker is generally well-received, with a high proportion of users giving it 5-star ratings. Users appreciate its timely and accurate earthquake information, global coverage, and customizable alerts. However, some users report issues with alert reliability, the accuracy of wildfire data, and the presence of intrusive ads in the free version. There are also some complaints about changes to the interface or features after updates, and some users have encountered technical issues like the app not loading or settings not saving. The addition of wildfire tracking is a popular feature, but its reliability is a recurring concern.

Key Strengths: Timely notifications, accurate earthquake information, global coverage, user-friendly interface, customizable alerts. Key Weaknesses: Alert reliability, wildfire data accuracy, intrusive ads in free version, occasional technical issues, negative reactions to UI changes. Overall Sentiment: Positive Overall Rating: Based on the score distribution, the app has an effective rating close to 4.5 stars. Score Distribution: 5-star (77.8%), 4-star (6.6%), 3-star (4.8%), 2-star (4.8%), 1-star (6%)

Data & Methodology Overview

Data Sample Size: 500 reviews Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but reviews appear to be from the recent past (2024, 2025). Analysis Methods:

  • Sentiment Analysis: Determining the overall sentiment (positive, negative, neutral) expressed in the reviews.
  • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently used words and phrases to understand the main topics and concerns.
  • Categorization: Grouping reviews based on common themes (e.g., alerts, accuracy, features, bugs).

Key User Pain Points

  • Alert Reliability: Many users report inconsistent or delayed notifications, or not receiving alerts for earthquakes near their location, even with proper settings.
  • Wildfire Data Accuracy: Users frequently complain about inaccurate, delayed, or missing wildfire data, even with a premium subscription. This is a significant issue for users relying on the app for fire safety.
  • Intrusive Ads: Users of the free version find the ads to be overly intrusive, sometimes resembling phishing scams, negatively impacting the user experience.
  • Technical Issues: Some users experience the app not loading, settings not saving, or features not working after updates.
  • Gulf of Mexico Naming: A small number of users strongly object to a perceived name change of the Gulf of Mexico within the app.
  • Inability to Filter Notifications Effectively: Users want more granular control over which notifications they receive, especially the ability to filter by specific regions or radii from their location.
  • Map Issues: Outdated satellite imagery, mislabeled faults, and language inconsistencies on maps were reported.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Alert Filtering: More granular control over alert settings, including specific regions, distances, and magnitude ranges.
  • Combined Data Sources: Option to receive alerts from multiple data sources (USGS, EMSC, NRC) simultaneously, even if it results in duplicate reports.
  • Language Customization: Ability to select the language for labels and information displayed on the map.
  • Tsunami Information: More prominent and accessible tsunami information.
  • Volcano Tracking Improvements: More detailed volcano information, including active lava flows.
  • Switch between Earthquake and Wildfire Views: A quick way to switch between showing only earthquakes or only wildfires.
  • More Granular Notification Settings: Option to set different notification settings for different regions.
  • Distance from City Reference: Show the distance of the earthquake from the nearest city.
  • Show Magnetic North and South Poles: Add the location of the magnetic north and south poles on the map.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Timely Notifications: Many users praise the app for providing fast and accurate earthquake alerts, often before news outlets.
  • Comprehensive Information: Users appreciate the detailed earthquake information, including location, magnitude, depth, and links to external resources.
  • Global Coverage: The app's ability to track earthquakes worldwide is a major draw for users with family or interests in other regions.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Many users find the app easy to use and navigate.
  • Customizable Alerts: Users appreciate the ability to customize alert settings to their preferences.
  • Wildfire Tracking (Premium): The addition of wildfire tracking is a valued feature, though its reliability is a concern.
  • Educational Value: Users find the app informative and interesting for learning about earthquakes and geology.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Improve Alert Reliability: Investigate and fix the issues causing inconsistent or delayed notifications. Focus on ensuring alerts are triggered reliably for earthquakes near the user's location, within their specified settings.
  • Enhance Wildfire Data Accuracy: Improve the accuracy, timeliness, and reliability of wildfire data. Address the reported delays and inaccuracies by integrating with more reliable data sources and improving update frequency.
  • Address Intrusive Ads: Re-evaluate the ad strategy for the free version to reduce intrusiveness and avoid ads that resemble phishing scams. Consider less disruptive ad formats or limiting the frequency of full-screen ads.
  • Resolve Technical Issues: Prioritize fixing the reported technical issues, such as the app not loading, settings not saving, and features not working after updates. Implement thorough testing before releasing updates to prevent regressions.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Improved Alert Filtering: Add more granular control over alert settings, including specific regions, distances, and magnitude ranges.
  • Offer Combined Data Sources: Provide an option to receive alerts from multiple data sources (USGS, EMSC, NRC) simultaneously.
  • Improve Map Accuracy: Correct any mislabeled faults or outdated satellite imagery.
  • Add Language Customization: Allow users to select the language for labels and information displayed on the map.
  • Enhance Tsunami Information: Make tsunami information more prominent and accessible.

Low Priority:

  • Volcano Tracking Improvements: Add more detailed volcano information, including active lava flows.
  • Switch between Earthquake and Wildfire Views: Implement a quick way to switch between showing only earthquakes or only wildfires.
  • Address Gulf of Mexico Naming: Reconsider the naming convention used for the Gulf of Mexico within the app, given the strong negative reactions from some users.
  • Show Distance from City Reference: Show the distance of the earthquake from the nearest city.
  • Show Magnetic North and South Poles: Add the location of the magnetic north and south poles on the map.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyperlocal Earthquake Early Warning System: A system that uses real-time sensor data and AI to provide hyperlocal earthquake early warnings, even seconds before the shaking starts.
  • Personalized Disaster Preparedness Platform: An app that combines earthquake, wildfire, and other disaster tracking with personalized preparedness checklists, evacuation routes, and communication tools.
  • AI-Powered Wildfire Prediction and Monitoring: A platform that uses AI and satellite imagery to predict wildfire risk, monitor fire spread, and provide real-time information to firefighters and residents.
  • Open-Source Earthquake Data Aggregation and Analysis: A collaborative platform that aggregates earthquake data from multiple sources, provides advanced analysis tools, and allows users to contribute to research and understanding of seismic activity.

Trends and Observations

  • High Satisfaction with Earthquake Tracking: Users are generally very satisfied with the app's ability to track earthquakes and provide timely information.
  • Growing Importance of Wildfire Tracking: The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires are driving demand for reliable wildfire tracking features.
  • Sensitivity to Ads: Users are highly sensitive to intrusive ads and are more likely to abandon the app if the ad experience is poor.
  • Desire for Customization: Users want more control over alert settings and the information displayed on the map.
  • Technical Issues Impact User Experience: Even minor technical issues can significantly impact user satisfaction and lead to negative reviews.
  • Importance of Timeliness: Users value real-time information and expect the app to provide alerts and updates quickly.

Conclusion

QuakeFeed Earthquake Tracker is a valuable tool for users seeking timely and accurate earthquake and wildfire information. While the app has many strengths, including its user-friendly interface, global coverage, and customizable alerts, there are several areas that need improvement. By addressing the issues with alert reliability, wildfire data accuracy, intrusive ads, and technical issues, the developers can significantly enhance the user experience and maintain the app's positive reputation. Prioritizing these improvements will ensure that QuakeFeed remains a trusted and reliable source of information for users around the world.

Overall Recommendation: Focus on improving the reliability and accuracy of the core features (earthquake alerts and wildfire tracking) and addressing the most pressing user pain points (intrusive ads and technical issues). This will help to maintain user satisfaction and attract new users.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quakefeed-earthquake-tracker/id403037266?uo=2