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Apple’s Volume Purchase Program can help organizations purchase a large number of apps for their staff and employees. In order to extend these benefits to educational institutions, Apple has introduced the Apple School Manager. For app developers hoping to reach schools and universities, this could be a helpful tool for App Store Optimization.
Apple’s App Store Guidelines have updated with a new requirement for mobile games available in China. Starting this July, any mobile game available in mainland China will be required to have an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or be removed from the store. Developers with apps available in China should be aware of what they must do to keep their app available and how this can affect their App Store Optimization.
The Apple App Store has adjusted several of its app categories for both the iOS and Mac stores. This shift could impact app rankings across the store as apps are shifted. Developers should be aware of these changes and how it might impact their App Store Optimization.
App Store Connect recently started displaying a notification that there has been an issue with reporting impression and conversion data. Over the past several months, many apps saw shifts in impressions and conversions around mid-September, particularly with the Browse and Search sources. In fact, some developers had reported conversion rates of over 100%- a metric that simply is not possible. Apple has started to address this issue and reports that developers should see their analytics returned to normal soon.
The Google Play Store has begun rolling out an update to how videos are shown in search results. Google Play Videos now automatically play in search results for certain brands, so app developers should consider how their videos are displayed and perform.
As the app economy continues to grow, overall app profits consistently increase. Apple recently announced record App Store revenue from 2019’s holiday season, clearly indicating a growth in app profits for the company. Developers wanting to make the most of the growing app economy will need App Store Optimization to compete for the largest cuts of the profit.
Many apps rely on embedding or accessing web content, from shopping apps to social networking. These apps will need to update the API they use, as Apple has announced that all apps on the App Store must move from the UIWebView API to WKWebView. Developers that neglect to update their apps on time may find their apps rejected from the App Store, which could negatively impact their App Store Optimization.
Apple has announced the App Store Connect Holiday Schedule. During this time, App Store Connect will not accept any new apps or updates, so as to give Apple’s team time off to enjoy the holidays. Developers will want to keep this time frame in mind and plan their releases around it.
Google has been pushing to ensure the apps available on the Google Play Store are safe from malware and adware. The company’s latest effort is a partnership with security firms in what they call the App Defense Alliance. This initiative designed to identify and remove apps with hidden adware, subscription scams and more, so developers should ensure that their apps are secure or risk removal.
Google recently announced that Google Play Points, a rewards system that offers points for every purchase a user makes, will be made available in the United States. The reward system, which has already seen success in Japan and Korea, is designed to encourage purchases on the Google Play Store. Developers offering rewards through Google Play Points can utilize it as part of their App Store Optimization to further drive downloads.
Paid marketing, such as Google Ads and Apple Search Ads, is a tool that can enhance an app’s conversions and organic rankings. Every paid install can help an app gain 1.5 more organic installs, so paid acquisition helps apps even when the paid campaign ends. Google has adjusted how it delivers repeat ads, which may impact app developers using Google Ads to supplement their App Store Optimization.
Google has begun rolling out the latest version of the Google Play Store, version 17.0.11. This update includes design changes that app developers will want to keep in mind for both their app and developer pages, as it may impact their App Store Optimization.