Most of our app makers choose to upload their free Android apps into the GooglePlay store, we know that this store is not the only Android store around, but whether we like it or not, GooglePlay is still the most popular Android app store and this does not look like it will change in the near future, therefore it is vital that you are aware of all GooglePlay changes and how this will affect your app’s discoverability.
It is important for us to keep you up to date with changes in the app market place because we want you to create your app from scratch with the right knowledge and tools to ensure your app has the maximum changes of being successful. Today we are discussing the changes that occurred on July 15th 2013 in the GooglePlay market and what this means for your app.
You may have noticed that the front page to GooglePlay has changed recently, this change has occurred because of one main reason: There is no longer a focus upon trending apps.
What does this change mean to me?
A trending app was recently known as an app that was gaining over 1000 daily installs, this app would make it to the trending section of GooglePlay in one or more countries, this trending feature in turn increased the apps chances of gaining even more downloads and therefore pushed smaller apps out into the virtual cyber world, never to be seen again. Many apps were getting the 1000 downloads daily for 3 consecutive days and this guaranteed app success because it would enter them onto the trending list. Being on the trending list meant apps would easily jump to hundreds of thousands of downloads because the app is easily discoverable. If there are no more trending apps you cannot expect your app to gain a multitude of downloads instantly.
GooglePlay has recognised that the trending app feature may not have been fair on the up and coming app makers and therefore they have switched their focus onto editorial picks instead.An editorial pick is where an app is chosen , not through statistics, but by human hands and eyes to feature as a recommended app, giving all apps the opportunity to feature and to flourish.
The removal of trending apps means that there is now even more focus on organic searches and organic growth, this means to you, the app maker, that you need to focus strongly upon your ASO (App Store Optimization) techniques. The most frequently used ASO technique as we have discussed in the past is ensuring a good stable keyword focused name.
So let us clarify the changes:
1: There are no more trending apps on GooglePlay
2: An editorial pick has replaced the trending apps feature
3: ASO has become more vital than ever before
4: Becoming successful is no longer a numbers game, it now relies on strategic ASO techniques
5: Download numbers on all apps will begin to slow due to the removal of trending apps feature.
6: App discoverability is now open to all app makers and not just those that could gain 1000 downloads a day for 3 consecutive days
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us either by email or via our Facebook page where we are always happy to help with all questions regarding the creation and success of your free Android apps.
