The ASO field notes,
from the trenches.
Mechanics, data, and playbooks from running millions of installs. No fluff, just what moves rank.
Google Play keyword install campaign duration: how many per day, how many days
Google Play keyword install campaigns should run 14 to 21 days at 50 to 200 units per day. Here's the full sizing grid by campaign size and keyword competition.
July 20, 2026How to Safely Buy App Ratings and Lift Your Average to 4.3 Stars
Learn how to strategically buy app ratings to elevate your average score to the critical 4.3-star threshold, boosting visibility and conversion rates without risking app store penalties. This guide details pacing, volume, and distribution strategies.
July 14, 2026The Compliant Playbook to Buy App Reviews for ASO Success
Learn how to buy app reviews compliantly, boosting app store optimization (ASO) and user trust. This guide covers strategic drip pacing, content variety, and avoiding platform filters.
July 7, 2026App Rating Benchmarks by Category: What Constitutes a Good Score?
Explore app rating benchmarks by category across iOS and Google Play, understanding how user expectations and app type influence what's considered a "good" rating. Learn why a 4.0 in one category can outperform a 4.5 in another.
July 7, 2026App Retention Benchmarks: Day-1, Day-7, Day-30 Across 18 Categories
Understand critical app retention benchmarks (Day 1, Day 7, Day 30) across 18 app categories. Learn how retention impacts ASO rank and when high install volume with low retention can harm your app's visibility.
June 30, 2026Understanding Your App Install Fraud Rate: Appeak's Data Insights
Appeak's analysis of 5,000 app campaigns reveals critical data on app install fraud rates, identifying common fraud vectors, the effectiveness of app store filters, and strategies for developers to mitigate deceptive installations. This data-driven report provides actionable insights for accurate ASO.
June 30, 2026Google Play Store Algorithm Update 2026: Key Shifts & Actionable Strategies
The Google Play Store algorithm update 2026 introduces significant shifts in app ranking, primarily emphasizing review velocity smoothing and long-term user retention. Developers must adapt their ASO and product strategies to align with these new priorities, focusing on consistent user feedback and sustained engagement to maintain visibility and growth.
June 23, 2026ASO for Indie Developers: Maximizing Installs on a Sub-$500 Monthly Budget
Indie developers can achieve significant App Store Optimization (ASO) gains with a monthly budget under $500 by prioritizing high-impact, low-cost strategies like keyword research, metadata optimization, and strategic review acquisition.
June 23, 2026Android Keyword Installs: The Google Play Buyer's Playbook
At $0.09 to $0.18 per install, Android keyword installs cost about 40% less than iOS, and Google Play per-country storefronts make it the best place to test before scaling. The playbook: volumes, drip windows, GEO laddering, and the retention trap.
June 21, 2026How to Increase App Downloads: A 5-Step Framework for Sustainable Growth
Learn a five-step framework to increase app downloads effectively. This guide covers auditing, visibility, conversion, retention, and virality, providing a 90-day numerical example for driving app installs.
June 16, 2026Mastering Your App Launch Strategy: A Playbook for Mobile Success
A robust app launch strategy is critical for mobile app success, combining meticulous pre-launch keyword research, strategic soft launches for market validation, a potent day-one keyword install push, and sustained post-launch efforts in ratings and reviews to build organic visibility and user trust.
June 16, 2026WWDC 2026 ASO Changes: Apple's New Search Ads, Analytics & Privacy Rules
Apple announced major ASO updates at WWDC 2026: expanded Search Ads targeting, new App Store Connect metrics, and stricter privacy gates. Here's what changes for app developers and marketers.
June 8, 2026Get the field notes by email
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