Hey everyone.

I don't know if y'all knew this, but when you're browsing the iTunes store, you're actually looking at a localized version of it. One of the consequences of this is that when you find your podcast in the store and try to read the reviews, you won't be able to see the review unless it was posted by someone int he same locality as you.

I'm in New Zealand. Most of my listeners are in the USA. That means I can't ready ANY of their reviews! It looks like I have zero reviews, when I know that I have at least one. Does anyone know of a way to break out of the localized store and see, for example, the American one?

I know of no way. Sadly, you're using a program with a dinosaur viewpoint on media distribution. You could get someone in the states to email you the review. If I remember when I get to work (I don't have Windows at home, or Mac. Only Linux) I'll do it for you.

Amusingly, IIRC, you can't copy/paste the review either. You have to type it. So if it's long I may take a screen shot

Here's the solution. Go into the iTunes store, scroll down to the bottom to the dropdown menu called "My Store", and select "United States". Then search for your podcast, and the US reviews should show up (unless I'm overlooking something, which is quite possible).

You can do that? I assume that only works for viewing, not buying?

EDIT

I just loaded iTunes and don't see anything listed "my store" anywhere. It's not a menu at the top, a category on the left, or anywhere else on the screen.

Here's how it looks on my computer. First, click on "iTunes Store" in the left column:



Then when you're in the iTunes Store, scroll all the way to the bottom, and between the words "My Store:" and a circle with a country flag in it, there is a dropdown menu where you can select the country:



I don't have much experience with this feature, but I did notice that a podcast that had reviews while in the US store did not have those reviews when I was in another country store. I currently live in Brazil, but have always used the US store with no problem.

Aha! I see my problem.

I have only ever used iTunes while on dialup, and have never used it to do anything but check my shows for reviews. It takes the store about 5 minutes to actually load. I see it now.

I still say it's dumb that you have to do that, but it's nice to know you can buy from the US store in Brazil.

Thank you tvindy!

Oh dang! I still can't place reviews on podcasts that can be read at other local stores. I tried to do so, but it then asked for my login, and said "Sorry, your account is only valid for purchases in the New Zealand iTunes Store. You will be redirected there now."

I don't want to purchase anything!

Interesting. It occurs to me that the fact that my purchases are placed to an American credit card is probably why I can use the American iTunes Store. It's ridiculous that podcast reviews are separated by country, especially considering that most successful English-language podcasts have listenerships spread out over several countries.

This is a mind blowing programing error - That apple has set up reveiws to only avlaible to such limited national identies ---- hmmm well I am speechless.

I have an international podcast with over 30,000 downloads since it's inseption - about 5,00 of those downloads are over seas - I have been pushing reveiws for a while - I wondr how many Ihave in australia or new zealond and never new to check?

This is really infuritating to me - I hope that iTunes 8 or even 8.1 has dealt with this issue in soe way - though I doubt it.

http://www.ericwolf.org
http://www.storytellingwithchildren.com

*sigh* I live in Israel, where we don't even have podcasts on the iTunes store.