Every app developer wants to see its app in top charts of App Store (such as Google play for Android, Apple’s App Store, Windows Store for Windows Phone or Blackberry World for Blackberry). They are ready to do everything possible to make it happen. Hence trying a bit, the lot is hidden when it comes to algorithms to put apps in the top charts.
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Google & Apple both use complex mathematical algorithms to create the rankings of the apps in their stores. With the available trends and practices, one can guess that Apple prioritizes growth trends over ratings. In these growth trends, Apple looks for how frequently app get updated and wide distribution of it. Whereas, Google seems to favor ratings to make any app in the top chart. It is quite an unwritten rule in Google Play Store that app needs to have at least four stars to get into the top charts.
There are multiple factors which determine the ranking of your app on app store. These factors include Rating count, Installs, Reviews, Engagement, trends etc. App Store Optimization (ASO) is the process used to improve the visibility of any mobile app in an app store. Just like SEO in websites ranking, ASO is used for mobile apps ranking in the app store. The benefits of ASO are immense as better the ranking in chart any app obtain better the possibilities of it getting downloaded from app store would be.
Let’s discuss some of the points which determine the rankings on app stores.
1. App metadata: Your app’s title and description play the key role in it’s ranking on charts. It is considered to be the first thing which is taken into account by App store’s search engines when a user enters a query. Try to put relevant title and other description so that it benefits the ranking on charts.
2. Total number of Downloads: This could be considered as second most important factor vis-à-vis app store ranking. Better the number of downloads betters the ranking at charts of the app store.
3. Download rate: App Store checks the velocity of downloads or download rate to put it into top rankings. It also checks how often the app gets downloaded.
4. Engagement: Downloading an app doesn’t make the difference only. It includes the fact how often that app has been used. If the uses of the app is regular it helps the app to gain the ranks on the chart.
5. Revenue: It is important for paid apps. Search engines of app stores check the revenue gained from a specific app and count it as another determining fact. App store offers greater visibility to such apps with better revenue.
6. Ratings: The better the rating your app receives from users better the chances of its downloads would be. It will help to gain the rank on the app store rank chart.
7. Reviews: Number and volume of reviews for your app help increase the number of downloads. Clients tend to download apps with good reviews and ratings more often which help app getting into the top charts.
8. Keyword relevance: Put keywords with your app in accordance with the searching pattern of the common user. It will help search your app with priority. Thus it will increase downloads of your app. Ultimately it will raise the ranking of your app. Use relevant keywords or popular keywords combination with your app description.
9. Recent updates: When you keep on updating your app and offer it to users with regular updates it gives an opportunity to top in the app store chart. Updated apps in comparison to old apps tend to be downloaded on a fast basis.
10. Retention: Along with download and engagement of any app, uninstall rate of an app also makes a difference when it comes to ranking of an app. When to uninstall rate is high of an app it puts a negative effect on app ranking.
11. Country: Country specific data of downloads also affects the ranking of the app on app store. Certain apps can be put on top or below according to the downloads of that app in a particular region.
12. Backlinks: Your social media activities are purportedly traced and are used as referrals for ranking influencers. Backlinks are also created in general to rank the app.
13. Click-through rate (CTR): Click-through rate is the ratio used to check the number of clicks on a specific link to the number of total users who view a page, email or advertisement. Better the CTR rate better the chances of downloading your app to improve the ranking of the app.
14. Screenshots: Screenshots of app helps users to understand the app thoroughly. It will help increase downloads of an app again to improve the rank of an app.
15. Video: Similar to screenshots, videos of an app also prove to be informational for users to understand and download the app more quickly.
16. Trend: Trend of downloading an app according to their type and features also affects its ranking on the app store. For example, certain gaming app can be on top of the charts for a specific period of time.
17. App Icon: Make your app icon, iconic, as this is the first things user notice when searching for apps. Don’t clutter and don’t write too much text on it. Give it a professional and sober look.
18. Get app reviews on Blogs: Let bloggers and users use and review your app as much as possible. Let them link your app from their blog to App store. It will increase traffic to your app.
19. Try to generate Incoming links: App store always takes backlinks and other incoming links into consideration when it comes to ranking any app. It shows that your app is popular.
20. Create Hype for your app: This is the trickiest and effective way which can help increase your app’s ranking. Spread the word about your app and let the users talk about your app. Get the influential websites and people to talk about your app. Do different PR activities.
21. Reduce App size: Try to keep your app size below 5MB it will help in the better conversion from the app store to download. Thus prompting app store search engines to assume that it is a good app.
It is important to work meticulously and cautiously to improve the app ranking on App Store. Above mentioned tips can help you to understand the way apps are being ranked on App Store charts. This study is based on common practice and beliefs still it contains a lot of insight about how different app store strategies thinks to rank app on their store.
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