Android app screenshots and promotional videos are your opportunity to showcase the most important and engaging features of your app. It's the first part of converting new users, and it's also how you will visually demonstrate how your app delivers what users want.
If an image is worth a thousand words, then your app store screenshots are the best way to tell your app's story and convince users to download your app. In fact, ignoring this aspect of your
ASO services strategy is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Why are screenshots important?
You've spent a lot of time optimizing your app store page with keyword-optimized text that is both compelling and easy to read. Do you really need to work on creating the perfect screenshot? In a word: Absolutely!
Even if screenshots are not fully visible in the first impression frame of Google Play's App Store listing, they will still affect your view and install rates. That's because all visitors who scroll through your item details see screenshots in your First Impressions library (all creative assets that can be seen without browsing or interacting with the library).
Images are more engaging than text. In fact, in some cases, screenshots are enough to convince users to download and use your app. Unfortunately, not many people will read the description of your app. Instead, they will make an instant decision based on your screenshots.
Topic about the Apple App Store and
Google Play Store ASO, all of your app store visitors will see your first impression frames (all first screens). Most of these visitors will make decisions based on the creative assets they see there, and they will only spend about 3 to 6 seconds viewing your first impressions before dropping off the page, installing, or continuing to explore the decision before making their final decision. That's why it's important to optimize screenshots in ASO!
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Google Play Screenshot Sizes and Restrictions
When it comes to screenshots, it's not enough to have great and impressive visual assets. You must have the correct screenshot size for the Google Play Store.
- The maximum number of screenshots allowed is 8. If you have a mobile game, it will only be recommended if the item details have at least 3 screenshots.
- JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha) file formats are accepted.
- Google Play also has a limit on the size of screenshots: a minimum of 320 pixels and a maximum of 3840 pixels. Google will then adjust your screenshot to the user's device. However, the maximum size of a screenshot cannot exceed 2.3 times the minimum size.
- Google does not want you to place any information about app ratings, productivity, prices or promotional campaigns in the Play Store on your screenshots.
- Google recommends adding 3 horizontal screenshots for games, as it is "recommended" to display only horizontal app banners. For vertical games, you can add a horizontal screenshot after the vertical screen.
Be sure to always check the App Store and
Google Play Store ranking algorithm guidelines for the latest updates and use basic common sense. Screenshots, and your app, should not contain content that is disturbing and offensive. For example, the App Store will reject any screenshot that contains a real gun. Fantasy guns need to be in a passive position, in a holster or on the back, and swords and knives must not be pointed at the user.
Which factors need to consider while choosing Google Play Store screenshots?
Horizontal or Vertical Screenshots
One of the main goals of screenshots is to showcase the superior functionality of your app compared to competing apps. Vertical positioning will help you provide more information to your target audience. Users can see three portrait screenshots at the same time. If you choose horizontal, you will have only one screenshot per frame.
With landscape screenshots, you can show one main message in each frame because the landscape asset takes up the full width of the product page. With portrait screenshots, you can show multiple messages in each frame because multiple assets can be seen.
Google recommends adding three horizontal screenshots. This is necessary to display the "Suggestions" section of the app using one horizontal screenshot. If your game app is vertical, you can add horizontal screenshots after the vertical.
According to our analysis, apps are more likely to display portrait screenshots. This is because most apps do not support horizontal usage or functionality and they rely more on showing multiple features in each frame to get installed. Games, on the other hand, have a broader portfolio of gallery orientations because they are more diverse in how they are played. Game developers also tend to use more creative freedom when deciding how to showcase exciting gameplay, storylines, and characters, so they test different orientations more often.
You can also match the images in two portrait screenshots. This will help you show the app interface in more detail and add easy-to-read text.
It is important not to separate the text between the two screenshots. Doing so will make it difficult to read. You can also make sure that the phone model does not move between the two screenshots. This will be noticeable on the search results page, which will affect the click-through rate of the app page.
How many Google Play Screenshots to display
With Google Play, you can have up to 8 screenshots. In the App Store, 10 is the limit. According to statistics, publishers typically use only 5-7 screenshots. Only 12% of publishers use the maximum number of screenshots allowed in the App Store. This number is only slightly higher on Google Play, where 18% of publishers use all available screenshots.
The optimal number of screenshots depends on the specifics of your app. If your app has a lot of functionality to display, use as many screenshots as possible. If you have a simple app, you may choose to take fewer screenshots. For example, a simple calculator only needs a few screenshots to demonstrate all the main functions of the app.
You don't need all the screenshots to show only the app interface. You can create an atmosphere that inspires the user to install the app. AR and VR apps and games are especially useful in this case. In this case, you still need to add 2-3 screenshots of the app to better get approval from the moderator.
Whether you use the full 10 (or 8) is up to you, but make your choices strategic so that they are enough to engage potential users without losing them to superfluous detail. Remember to make your first screenshot the shining star! Followed by the second, third, etc.
Screenshot background color
The Visual Optimization Trends 2021 report states that the top 38% of free apps in the App Store and 42% in Google Play generally choose white as the background color. Bright background colors, such as red, yellow and pink, are rarely used. App publishers tend to choose darker, softer blues, blacks or greens.
However, if you have a shopping or social networking app, consider using a brighter background color. Of course, the background must be consistent with your brand identity and color scheme. More importantly, it must not be distracting. That's why it's best to choose a solid color background.
The situation is different for gaming apps - 68% of the top game publishers on the App Store and 72% of publishers on Google Play add a game interface without any background to the screenshot. As a result, game app publishers can easily stand out from their competitors by simply editing their screenshots.
Fonts and color in screenshots
Regarding colors and fonts, choose the option that suits your brand identity. The color of the text must contrast with the background and be clear and easy to read. The text should be large and easy to read, even on small devices. 48% of App Store publishers and 56% of Google Play publishers use white as their text color.
Create several different options that you can test on a variety of devices. Always check for key KPIs (e.g., screenshots can affect install rates). Also, don't rely on your personal taste. Your screenshots must be pleasing to the eye, but it is recommended that you avoid using any artistic add-ons.
Screenshot text best practices
Your text must be clearly visible on the search page. The more words you include, the smaller the font will be. For example, the text on the Amazon shopping app screenshot is difficult to read from a small device.
Therefore, it's best to place catchy phrases on the screenshot that contrast with the background. When it comes to screenshots, less is more. You can use bold to highlight the most important details, or just zoom in on keywords or phrases.
Constantly highlight things that have changed in your app. For example, if you create a new feature or update your app, include it in the screenshot.
It's important that the text on the screenshot is easy to read. Highlight the best features of the app, social proof, and app updates.
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