Software review platforms can be valuable resources, but there's also an industry behind generating reviews, running incentivized review campaigns, purchasing vendor programs, and competing for placement and awards.
We could spend heavily participating in that system. We'd rather spend that money building Level.
Reviews aren't always as organic as they look
When you see a software company suddenly accumulate hundreds of reviews, it doesn't necessarily mean hundreds of customers independently decided to write them.
Software vendors routinely run campaigns encouraging customers to leave reviews, sometimes offering gift cards or other incentives in exchange for participating. Vendors can also spend significant amounts with review and comparison platforms on marketing programs, buyer-intent data, enhanced profiles, and other services.
That doesn't necessarily make the resulting reviews dishonest. Real customers can receive an incentive and still give their genuine opinion.
But it does mean review volume isn't always a simple measure of how much customers love a product.
We'd rather invest in the product
Level could put that money toward generating more reviews, buying additional exposure, and collecting more badges.
Or we can put it toward engineers, infrastructure, support, and making the product better.
We choose the latter.
It's the same philosophy behind a lot of decisions we make at Level: keep the company focused, keep unnecessary expenses low, and invest as much as possible back into the product and the people supporting it.
We'd still love your honest review
We're not against reviews. Quite the opposite.
If you use Level and want to share your experience publicly, we genuinely appreciate it, whether your feedback is positive or critical.
We just don't think we should have to buy you a gift card to get it.
So don't judge Level by how many badges we've purchased the right to display.
Try the product. Talk to our customers. Ask us hard questions.
Then decide for yourself.