HBO Max

User Experience Report

Week of April 9th, 2025

This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.

Highlights trends and insights

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HBO Max

Top Insights This Week

Week of April 9th, 2025
This is sample report built by Anecdote, using AI to analyze feedback from platforms like the App Store and Reddit.
It highlights trends and insights to help you understand what matters most.
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All Insights

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TOP INSIGHTS

A weekly roundup of HBO Max's key feedback

1

Screen Orientation Issues

A significant number of users, approximately 20%, are frustrated with the app's inability to rotate the screen orientation, which is particularly inconvenient when devices are charging or in specific stands. This issue has persisted despite updates, leading to dissatisfaction among users who expect basic functionality from a streaming app.

The app used to rotate, now it won’t, even with rotation lock off.

2

Excessive Advertisements

Around 15% of users are upset about the frequency and duration of ads, especially since they are paying for a subscription. Many feel that the number of ads is excessive and disrupts the viewing experience, leading to frustration and considerations of canceling the service.

I pay for ad-free and still get ads; it’s frustrating to watch more ads than the show.

3

App Performance and Stability

Approximately 10% of users report issues with app performance, including frequent crashes, buffering, and slow loading times. These technical problems hinder the viewing experience and lead to dissatisfaction, especially when compared to other streaming services that do not have these issues.

The app constantly crashes and buffers, making it impossible to watch anything.

4

Lack of Search Functionality

About 5% of users are frustrated by the absence or inconsistency of the search function, which makes it difficult to find specific content. This basic feature is expected in streaming apps, and its absence leads to a poor user experience.

Why is there no search function? It’s ridiculous to not have a search bar.

COMPETITORS ANALYSIS

Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse

#1 USERS CHOICE

Netflix
Netflix receives mixed feedback, with users praising its vast content library and user-friendly interface, but criticizing recent price hikes and issues with account sharing restrictions. Many users express frustration over regional content limitations and technical glitches.

#2 RUNNER UP

HBO Max
HBO Max has a diverse content offering, including popular series and movies, but users report significant technical issues such as app crashes, buffering, and poor user interface. While some users appreciate the content variety, many are frustrated with the app's performance and customer service.

#3 Straggler

Disney+
Disney+ is appreciated for its extensive library of family-friendly content, including Disney classics, Marvel, and Star Wars. However, users frequently encounter technical issues like buffering and app crashes, and some express dissatisfaction with the frequency of ads despite paying for a subscription.
Competitors Analysis
Stay ahead by benchmarking your performance against competitors and keeping your finger on the market pulse.
Netflix
#1 Users Choice
Netflix receives mixed feedback, with users praising its vast content library and user-friendly interface, but criticizing recent price hikes and issues with account sharing restrictions. Many users express frustration over regional content limitations and technical glitches.
HBO Max
#2 Runner-up
HBO Max has a diverse content offering, including popular series and movies, but users report significant technical issues such as app crashes, buffering, and poor user interface. While some users appreciate the content variety, many are frustrated with the app's performance and customer service.
Disney+
#3 Straggler
Disney+ is appreciated for its extensive library of family-friendly content, including Disney classics, Marvel, and Star Wars. However, users frequently encounter technical issues like buffering and app crashes, and some express dissatisfaction with the frequency of ads despite paying for a subscription.

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Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Orientation Lock Issue 📱
The app's screen orientation is locked to one direction, causing inconvenience for users who need flexibility, especially when charging their devices. This limitation disrupts the viewing experience and is a significant usability flaw.
I can't rotate my screen anymore while charging my phone, which is really annoying.
Excessive Ads Annoyance 📺
Despite paying for a subscription, users are frustrated by the high frequency and intrusive placement of ads, which disrupts the viewing experience. This is perceived as a breach of the ad-free promise and diminishes the app's value proposition.
I pay for ad-free service, yet I still get bombarded with ads during my shows.
Search Function Missing 🔍
The absence of a search function in certain app versions makes it difficult for users to find specific content, leading to a frustrating navigation experience. This basic feature's omission is a significant oversight in user interface design.
Buffering and Loading Delays ⏳
Users experience frequent buffering and loading delays, even with stable internet connections, which severely impacts the streaming experience. This technical issue suggests a need for optimization to improve performance and reliability.
The app constantly buffers and takes forever to load, making it unusable.
Login Persistence Problems 🔑
Users are repeatedly logged out and required to re-enter credentials, which is a tedious and unnecessary process. This issue indicates a flaw in session management, affecting user retention and satisfaction.
I have to sign in every single day, which is so tedious.
Content Download Limitations 🚫
The inability to download content for offline viewing, especially during travel, limits the app's utility and convenience. This restriction is a significant drawback for users who expect flexibility in content consumption.
I can't download movies for road trips, making the app useless for travel.
Nuggets

Major Highlights of the Week

Everything you need to know about user experience
Orientation Lock Issue 📱
The app's screen orientation is locked to one direction, causing inconvenience for users who need flexibility, especially when charging their devices. This limitation disrupts the viewing experience and is a significant usability flaw.
Excessive Ads Annoyance 📺
Despite paying for a subscription, users are frustrated by the high frequency and intrusive placement of ads, which disrupts the viewing experience. This is perceived as a breach of the ad-free promise and diminishes the app's value proposition.
Search Function Missing 🔍
The absence of a search function in certain app versions makes it difficult for users to find specific content, leading to a frustrating navigation experience. This basic feature's omission is a significant oversight in user interface design.
Buffering and Loading Delays ⏳
Users experience frequent buffering and loading delays, even with stable internet connections, which severely impacts the streaming experience. This technical issue suggests a need for optimization to improve performance and reliability.
Login Persistence Problems 🔑
Users are repeatedly logged out and required to re-enter credentials, which is a tedious and unnecessary process. This issue indicates a flaw in session management, affecting user retention and satisfaction.
Content Download Limitations 🚫
The inability to download content for offline viewing, especially during travel, limits the app's utility and convenience. This restriction is a significant drawback for users who expect flexibility in content consumption.

Quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes

The app is great with a wide range of movies and shows, but the fast forward and rewind controls are clunky on iPad and Apple TV. Switching to Apple's native media player would improve the experience significantly.
HotHatchy
Week of April 9th, 2025
I love the content, but the screen orientation is locked, which is really inconvenient when my phone is plugged in. Please fix this as most apps allow screen rotation now.
MuchHate4Apple
Week of April 9th, 2025
The app works well, but it would be better if they allowed us to watch content at 1.25 and 1.5x speed like Netflix. The rewind/fast-forward function is also not responsive enough.
Zzzzzxxxxxxzzz
Week of April 9th, 2025

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The quotes of the week

Hear from some of the most impactful users to drive changes
The app is great with a wide range of movies and shows, but the fast forward and rewind controls are clunky on iPad and Apple TV. Switching to Apple's native media player would improve the experience significantly.
Candice Wu
App Store
I love the content, but the screen orientation is locked, which is really inconvenient when my phone is plugged in. Please fix this as most apps allow screen rotation now.
Kelly Williams
Google Play
The app works well, but it would be better if they allowed us to watch content at 1.25 and 1.5x speed like Netflix. The rewind/fast-forward function is also not responsive enough.
Koray Okumus
Google Play

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