The Google Play Store's app ranking algorithm has changed a lot in 2022. Case study about new sports app has grown rapidly and win basic users with basic ASO.
Within the story of our user's new sports app, its app growth progress, we will explain how a new app can be optimized through basic ASO to rapidly app growth in the Google Play Store step by step. This app been launched to the google play store at the end of 2021. From the beginning ASO promotion works, it has grown rapidly and has its basic user base.
The Google Play Store's app ranking algorithm has changed a lot since the second half of 2021. Changes to the Google Play Store range from new metadata rules to updated preview asset guidelines and even a new mandatory security section.
In the optimization strategy of this new application for our users, we have also made many new forward-looking attempts, and the results are amazing.
Click "Learn More" to drive your apps & games business with ASO World app promotion service now.
* Keep your valuable keywords in your app name, or we called it App Title in Google Play Store. To make the most out of 30 charactors. And consider the following new ASO rules from the Google Play Store:
As of September 29, 2021, a major change is that the number of characters allowed in app titles has been shortened from a maximum of 50 characters to only 30 characters.
Keywords that imply store performance (such as "top", "best" or "#1") will no longer be allowed in titles, icons, and developer names.
App titles, icons and developer names that do not comply with the new guidelines will not be allowed in the Play Store. Some keywords like top, #1, best, free, no ads, ad-free, update now and download now cannot be used in metadata either. Even the use of caps is monitored: you can't use caps unless your brand is capitalized.
Developers have to be more careful when choosing keywords in the final title. Make sure that what you choose is most relevant to your app.
The character limit is the same for each language, but it particularly affects languages that require more space (such as Arabic, German, or French). These languages may even lose more keyword opportunities.
Recommendation and solution:
Brand name + 2 most important keywords (valuable and popular industry keywords).
Keyword research firstly.
Such as:
Popular in searching: Sports News,BBC Sport,sports media,football media,Sports Social Media, etc.
Be note: To include your most important and featured keywords into your app name, description, and make your screenshot show your app features about this clearly.
To make the most out of the 4000 characters of the Google Play Store long description content.
Make your most important keywords be included in the content for about 5 times;
Headings and paragraphs, the keywords in headings will get more google play ranking algorithm authority than the paragraphs;
For example:
To make your app features be clearly;
Make the audience clearly know the features and characteristics of your application;
Highlight the display effect of key information through text editing such as font size and bold.
For example:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=deezer.android.app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.web_view_mohammed.ad.webview_app
To support your targeted users langue, such as make your app support English and Portuguese, etc. for India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines people;
For example:
To keep the description content natural and friendly for reading and helpful for audience to make a decision to download your app;
To include your social network information in your description to help people easy to find you and follow you, to grow your traffic life-circle.
For example:
Make your screenshot be clearly displayed your app features.
Pay attention to whether the screenshots displayed with these features and whether it can be fully delivered to your users.
To arrange your screenshots in the left and right order according to the user's demand for these features. The strong demand is at the top and the weaker in turn.
The role of this location has a greater impact on the user's first impression of your application and whether it is downloaded.
When doing preview optimization on Google Play, you need to pay attention to the following points, otherwise applications whose preview assets do not meet the new guidelines may not be eligible for promotion and recommendation on Google Play.
To ensure assets provide an accurate representation of the app or game, free of buzzwords (such as “free” or “best”), and aim to showcase relevant information about the app instead while being easy to read.
Preview videos should be optimized for 30 second autoplay (only the first 30 seconds of video will autoplay in the Play Store). You should limit title screens, logos, cutscenes, and pre-rendered promotional content to highlight actual in-game footage.
Other "highly recommended" guidelines (meaning they won't affect your product pages, but may change how your preview assets appear on Google Play or limit promotional opportunities) include:
Do not include people interacting with the device (eg fingers/hands) unless the core gameplay is off-device.
Make sure your preview video is in landscape format.
Make sure your video is high quality, localized correctly, and text is clear.
Do not include words that imply ranking, such as "best", "#1", "top", "discount", "sale", "million downloads" (allows display of rewards from Google Play) or calls to action such as "Download Now", "Install Now", "Play Now" or "Try Now".
To make your target users find your features and functional bias from the list of numerous category applications at a glance.
For example:
Screenshots must show the actual app experience. Google Play recommends using large-format fused screenshots for games, which means providing at least 3 (for games) or 4 (for apps) screenshots, either 16:9 landscape (minimum 1920x1080 pixels) or 9:9 16 portrait (minimum 1080x1920 pixels).
Here, we remind users about Icons optimization that:
• Do not include words that imply ranking, such as "Best", "#1", "Top", "Discount", "Sale", "Million Downloads" (allows to display awards from Google Play), and avoid calling - "Immediately" Download, Install Now, Play Now, or Try Now.
• Use high-quality graphics, localize appropriately, avoid time-sensitive banners, and don't display excessive elements in the notification bar (no service provider or notifications, and battery, WiFi, and cell service logos should be complete).
• Focus on core functionality and gameplay experience and avoid including people interacting with the device (eg fingers/hands) unless the core gameplay is off-device.
• Avoid inappropriate or repetitive graphic elements.
At the app promotion beginning after your app be launched on the app store.
For first 7 days(Google Play Store):
15000~20000 app package installs + 20% app ratings(4~5 star) + 20% app reviews = every day. For about 7 days.
To prepare your reviews content detailed and includes your important keywords to grow your keyword coverage.
2nd stage app promotion plan:
Google Play Store:
2500 keyword installs + 20% app ratings(4~5 star) + 20% app reviews = every day. For about 15 days.
With the basic ASO optimization and about 2 monthes promotion works, our user's sports app driven about 5 main keywords ranking to top on google play, and acquired a certain user base and with a certain amount of app download, rating and reviews, the daily natural traffic reached around 300.
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