What are the factors that affect the ups and downs of App Store rankings?

In the past half month, the rankings of many APP lists have fluctuated dramatically, and CPs have come to ask the reasons. According to my observation, apart from the slight impact caused by the change in Apple's algorithm, most of the reasons are problems with the promotion channels. Today, I will conduct a detailed analysis of the factors that cause fluctuations in the rankings on the list.

1. Factors Affecting the Ranking

1. Daily new download activations

Download activation volume is the most direct factor affecting the ranking of the list. Although its proportion fluctuates in each algorithm adjustment, it is always the majority. This is also the path that all current mainstream optimization methods focus on. Once the ranking shows a rapid decline, the first reaction is to check the recent fluctuations in daily new data. Normally, the fluctuation point of daily new data will be 1-5 days earlier than the fluctuation point of the list ranking.

2. Comments

Comments not only have a positive impact on keyword rankings, but also improve list rankings. The quantity and quality of reviews will also become one of the important factors affecting users' downloading of APPs, but please note that Apple will review every review, and the review time varies. Once negative/random/misleading reviews appear, it will plant an invisible bomb for the APP.

3. Retention

Retention includes next-day retention/three-day retention/seven-day retention/14-day retention. It is an important factor for Apple to determine whether an APP is popular. Apple will also use retention to determine the authenticity of APP users. If the fake volume ( retention rate is only one of the reference factors. Apple uses many factors to determine fake volume, and the focus is on verifying the relevant information around the account. For details, you can search for the full text of "Blind Spots in ASO Work: Apple ID Weight Must Be Considered" for details) exceeds Apple's preset value, then this part of the volume will have the ability to influence the ranking of the list. Those with bad behavior may be removed from the list, removed from the shelves, and banned.

4. Activity

The impact of activity on the ranking of the list was originally very low. In the process of continuous adjustment of Apple's algorithm, the proportion of activity is increasing. This also points out a way for operators : among the traditional ranking factors, it is necessary to consider ways to increase user stickiness. The types of tasks on the Youqian platform used to stimulate retention and dissemination, such as "second trial", "coupon", "free" types, etc., all need to be paid attention to at the same time.

The above four factors are ranked in order. When analyzing the fluctuations in the rankings, you can check the corresponding data fluctuations in turn.

2. Case Analysis

1. Rankings fluctuate dramatically

Figure 1: Ranking of the free list

The app experienced a roller coaster ride in just one week, and its ranking began to decline sharply on August 29, from 300 to 1,000. Judging from the activation volume alone, the daily new activation volume dropped from more than 10,000 to around 3,000. It can be basically concluded that the promotion channels were forced to suspend during this period, and the channels did not bring in sustained new additions. Combined with another chart of daily new comments for further analysis.

Figure 2: Number of new comments per day

Combined with the comment graph, it can be found that there were 36 new comments on August 31, and the ranking on the list also showed an upward trend. After September 3, the number of new comments per day was abnormally terrifying, reaching 710, and the distribution was extremely uneven. It can be basically concluded that the comments were not naturally generated. Judging from the comment behavior and the rapid decline in rankings, it can be determined that a large part of the volume maintaining the ranking on this list comes from non-real users, but rather machine-generated comments.

Figure 3: Basic data

Off topic: There is one thing about this APP that makes many operations partners envious, that is, the number of keyword coverage is as high as 1000+. Many people asked me how I did it? What I want to tell you is: it is impossible to do it just by relying on a 100-character keyword and title. They cleverly exploited the loopholes in Apple's rules.

2. Rapid ranking

Figure 4: Ranking of the free list

An app that had been ranked outside the top 100 suddenly rose from nearly 400th place to first place in just two days. This is a treatment that even phenomenal products have never enjoyed.
Figure 5: Number of new comments per day

Figure 6: Basic data

There is nothing abnormal in the basic data and comments, which indirectly shows that the probability of the APP attracting traffic through keywords is low, and no one is specifically hired to write comments. Insiders revealed that the APP carried out a large-scale promotion on that day, prompting old users to spread the word virally and further converting WeChat users into APP users. But I, as an ASO analyst at Youqian, would like to tell you that the new growth brought by daily promotion is not enough to support an APP to rise to the TOP1 position in a short period of time. It must also be combined with ASO delivery from the Youqian platform to achieve such a gratifying effect.

The example mentioned today involves machine brushing, so is there any risk in machine brushing? Since there are risks, why are so many apps rushing to pursue it? How does Apple identify machine flash? The young master will answer all your questions one by one in the next issue.

APP Top Promotion (www.opp2.com) is the top mobile application promotion platform in China, focusing on mobile APP promotion operation methods, experience and skills, channel ASO optimization ranking, and sharing App marketing dry goods. Welcome to follow the official WeChat public account: appganhuo

This article is compiled and published by the author Wen Gongzi WeChat ID nokia0729 (APP Top Promotion). Reprinting this article must be approved by Top Promotion , and please attach the link to this article!