Overview - App Store Optimization

Briefly describe how ranking in the AppStore & PlayStore work respectively?

Both App store and Play store have highly complex and highly guarded algorithms for determining for keywords and composite charts. Unlike SEO, which is old and have a proven theory, nothing much has been conducted to find out how ranking is allocated. However, there are still some observations along with App store optimization that results in higher rankings across both the stores.

Below are some of the factors that play role in ranking in the stores mentioned below. This is not a comprehensive list nor it is derived by any algorithm, it is based on my past experience.( Please note that this list is not comprehensive)

Google Play store Ranking factors-        11. Backlinks

1.Volume of ratings                                12. Revenue(Paid apps)

2.Overall value of ratings                       13. Page rank of app page     

3.Total downloads                                  14. +1 and backlinks

4.Download growth- last 30 days           15. Localization

5.Total Uninstalls/churn rate

6.App usage- depth and frequency

7.App engagement and recency

8.Description (fully filled)

9.Keywords in Title

10.Keywords in Description text(5 atleast)

11.Promo video

12.Social proof

13.Number of reviews

14.Value of reviews

App Store Ranking factors-        

1.App Metadata (title and description)

2.Total app downloads

3.Total engagement

4.Customer ratings

5.Customer reviews

6.Uninstall and churn

7.App usage- recency, frequency and depth

8.Keyword field (100 characters)

9.App Icon and screenshot

10.Localization

11.App Updates

12.App preview video

13.App name (descriptive name, URL safe char., 3 keyword max)

14.Category chosen