ASO Guide: Why My App Was Removed from App Store Ranking?

 

List clearance refers to the removal of an app's ranking in each chart. Usually, after an app got cleared, you can still find the app through "Search", and normal download and update operations will not be affected.

However, for apps with front ranking, the traffic loss is huge once they got cleared.

This blog will dive into list clearance to help you fully understand how it works:

Most App Ranking Clearance is NOT PERMANENT!

After ASO World collected the data of App Store clearance list from Jan. 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021, we found that after clearance the list, there were 3840 products restored to the ranking, accounting for 95%, and only 214 products were actually been cleared.

The number of misunderstood products is large, but according to the recovery speed in recent month, it can be recovered in 2-3 hours, so developers don't need to worry too much.

 

Ranking Update and Clearance Frequency

The ranking update time is generally at:

• 2:40,
• 5:40,
• 8:40,
• 11:40,
• 14:40,
• 17:40,
• 20:40,
• 23:40,

(every 3 hours)

and the clearance is concentrated at:

• 3:00,
• 6:00,
• 9:00,
• 12:00,
• 15:00,
• 18:00,
• 21:00
• 24:00.

The time is very close, so Apple is likely to clear the list after the list update.

 

Some Facts from Our Statistics

1. The number of removal in mobile apps and games is basically equal proportion.

2. Apps/Games ranking at 100-300 is most frequent to suffer list clearance.

3. Role-Playing Games (RPGs) & Action Games are more likely to be removed from ranking

4. Tool apps are more likely to be removed from ranking

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Why Your App/Game Is Removed from Ranking?

Reviews

Reviews are an important factor that affects the conversion rate of App Store traffic, and the details of reviews are likely to directly affect users' downloading decisions, so many products have review anomalies, which are manifested as too many positive reviews and abnormal review content.

It is recommended that developers should not click farm reviews or induce users to make positive comments, as it is not worthwhile to lose once the list is cleared by Apple.

Violation of Rules

💡 App Store - App Review Guidelines

Developers should follow App Store's rules, otherwise their app will be removed from the Ranking, even deleted from App Store.

Update Frequency

When an app has not been updated for a long time, apple will consider it "abandoned" by default, so it will be cleaned up.

Developers should optimize and iterate their products from time to time to keep them running properly and provide users with a better experience while avoiding being taken down by Apple as "abandoned apps".

Abnormal Growth

If there is suddenly a large number of downloads over a period of time, resulting in a surge in the ranking of the list, even if it is a real user brought in through massive advertising, it may cause Apple to suspect and lead to being cleared from the list.

What Should Developers Do?

If your app experiences a sudden surge in downloads, it's advisable for developers to proactively inform Apple.

Notify them in advance about upcoming promotions through various channels and activities that could significantly increase download numbers. This preemptive step helps prevent misunderstandings.

In the notification email, clearly explain the reasons behind the expected rise in downloads and emphasize adherence to Apple's regulations.

If your app has already been delisted unfairly, you can file a complaint with Apple. In your complaint:

• Explain that recent user additions are due to legitimate customer acquisition efforts.

• Provide supporting evidence such as screenshots of promotion channels, effect settlement reports, and data on user activity, retention, and other relevant behaviors from newly acquired users.

Recent data indicates that apps typically return to normal listings within 2–3 hours after being wrongfully removed. Therefore, developers should remain patient during this period and not worry excessively.

💡 What Happened when Your App Drops out From the App Store Ranking List and What Should You Do?