App Store ranking refers to the position of your app in the search results of the App Store. This position is determined by an algorithm that takes into account a variety of factors, such as:
- App store optimization (ASO) factors like keywords, title, description, and ratings/reviews
- User engagement and retention, such as app usage and retention rates
- Download velocity and volume, such as daily, weekly, and monthly downloads
- Sales and revenue generated by your app
All of these factors work together to determine your app’s rank in the App Store search results. Although not officially confirmed, it seems that running Apple Search Ads can also impact organic results and ASO.
How Does App Store Ranking Work?
The App Store ranking algorithm is complex and constantly changing, but there are some general principles that can help you understand how it works:
- Relevance: The App Store algorithm looks at how relevant your app is to a user’s search query. This is determined by your app’s title, subtitle, and keywords, as well as the content within your app.
- User engagement: The algorithm also looks at how engaged users are with your app. This includes metrics such as the number of downloads, the amount of time users spend in your app, and user ratings and reviews.
- Conversion rates: The algorithm takes into account how many users who view your app listing actually download and use the app.
- Sales and revenue: The algorithm also looks at the sales and revenue generated by your app.
- Competition: Finally, the App Store algorithm also takes into account the level of competition for specific keywords and categories.
By optimizing your app for these factors, you can improve your App Store ranking and increase your app’s visibility and downloads.
How Can You Improve Your App Store Ranking?
There are a variety of tactics you can use to improve your app’s App Store ranking, including:
- App Store Optimization (ASO): Optimize your app’s metadata, including keywords, title, description, and visuals, to improve its relevance and visibility in the App Store.
- User engagement: Encourage user engagement by creating a high-quality app with a great user experience, and by using marketing and advertising tactics to drive downloads and user retention.
- Ratings and reviews: Encourage users to rate and review your app, as this can improve your app’s visibility and ranking in the App Store.
- Sales and revenue: Drive sales and revenue by offering in-app purchases or premium features within your app.
- App updates: Keep your app up-to-date with new features and bug fixes to improve user engagement and retention.