iTunes Connect Gives Incorrect Instructions For Responding To A Metadata Rejection

Originator:designatednerd
Number:rdar://32111808 Date Originated:10-May-2017 12:55 PM
Status:Closed Resolved:
Product:iTunes Connect Product Version:
Classification:UI/Usability Reproducible:Always
 
Summary:
iTunes Connect tells users who have received a metadata rejection that they should update the metadata and resubmit, rather than replying directly to the metadata rejection. This causes the app to be kicked to the back of the review line, causing unnecessary wasted time when the only change has been a metadata update specifically requested by App Review. 


Steps to Reproduce:
1. Get email indicating you need to visit resolution center in iTC. 
2. Click link in email, see message in “Actual Results”
3. Perform steps to update metadata as outlined in message in “Actual Results”
4. Have app kicked to the back of app review line
5. Spend a day talking product people off the ledge because the app is still Waiting For Review. 


Expected Results:
App should go directly back into review. If one replies directly to the message BEFORE updating the metadata, the app will go back into review. If one updates the metadata first, as outlined by the steps in the instructions, the app will get kicked to the back of the review line. 

Either the messaging should be changed or the underlying functionality for a resubmission with only updated metadata after a metadata rejection should put the app back into review at the front of the queue. 


Actual Results:
Message from ITC between the tick marks: 

```
From Apple
2. 1 Performance: App Completeness
Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed

[information which is being requested]

Next Steps

To help us proceed with the review of your app, please provide us with a link to a demo video in the App Review Information section of iTunes Connect and reply to this message in Resolution Center.

To provide a link to a demo video:

- Log in to iTunes Connect
- Click on "My Apps"
- Select your app
- Click on the app version on the left side of the screen
- Scroll down to "App Review Information"
- Provide demo video access details in the "Notes" section
- Click "Save"
- Once you've completed all changes, click the "Submit for Review" button at the top of the App Version Information page.

Once this information is available, we can continue with the review of your app.
```

Regression:
I have encountered this issue for at least a year, I just blanked on it yesterday and followed the instructions, leading to my POs having a giant freakout, so I’m getting off my ass and filing a Radar about it now.  

Notes:
The fact that the instructions lead to an unnecessary boot to the back of the line makes a frustrating situation positively rage-inducing. Please update the boilerplate which is attached to metadata rejections to indicate that said information can be provided directly to the reviewers by replying rather than editing the input and resubmitting. 

Thank you!

Comments

This was closed on February 7, 2018 with the note:

"Thank you for the report. Please know this issue has been addressed."

I haven't had to respond to a metadata rejection since then, so we'll see.

By designatednerd at Feb. 15, 2018, 1:39 p.m. (reply...)

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