How to launch the Google Play intent in 'Give Feedback' mode on Android?

Question

I have just written a game for the Google Play Store and would like to remind my customers to leave feedback on the market for the application (especially the demo version). Is there any way to launch the market intent in a mode that will take the user to the feedback / comments section of the page?

I already use this approach for linking my demo to the paid application...

Intent goToMarket = null;
goToMarket = new Intent(
                   Intent.ACTION_VIEW,
                   Uri.parse("market://details?id=com.paulmaidment.games.flagsoftheworld"));
startActivity(goToMarket);

Is there a best practice?

Additionally, is there any way to track referrals from my demo application so that I can try to calculate some kind of a conversion rate? (that is, how effective the demo application is at generating sales.)

Solution 1

I'm not sure if its possible for an intent to take a user directly into the feedback/comments section. The developer guide does not mention that possibility.

As for tracking referrals you might want to check out this http://code.google.com/mobile/analytics/docs/android/#android-market-tracking

Solution 2

Note that in order to make the activities flow more expected for the end user, you should consider adding some intent flags. I suggest:

String appPackageName= getPackageName();
Intent marketIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("market://details?id="+appPackageName));
marketIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NO_HISTORY | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_WHEN_TASK_RESET|Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_MULTIPLE_TASK|Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
startActivity(marketIntent);

This way, when the user is pressing back, he will get to your application and not stay on the market (if he was there before). Also, if the user has opened your app again (after it was gone to the background), the market won't show up.

You can also add a try catch for the startActivity() call, so that you will be able to show the website of the app if the market is not available (either uninstalled somehow, or because the device's company didn't include it).

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EDIT: another alternative is How to use Intent.ACTION_APP_ERROR as a means for a “feedback” framework in Android?

Comments

[android developer]

as of Android ICS (4.x) , you can go directly to the send-feedback dialog, but it's the one that is used for bug reports. not sure about the consequences of using it. i've updated my answer to include it too in case anyone wishes to try it out.

[caw]

Actually, you should add the Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK flag.

[android developer]

@MarcoW. Thank you. In my code I've added it and here I didn't, for some reason.

[mabc21]

It does not mention in the google play Linking to Google play resource : developer.android.com/distribute/marketing-tools/…