Have you ever wondered how certain apps earn their spotlight on the Google Play Store?
Navigating the vast digital ocean of applications and getting your own app on Google Play Store to shine brightly among its peers can be daunting.
Here, we will explore the world of Google Play’s Featured List, understand its significance, explore various strategies to get your application noticed, and, most importantly, walk you through an 11-step roadmap to securing that coveted feature spot.
Buckle up as we step on this journey to elevate your app’s presence!
What Are Featured Apps?
Featured apps hold the spotlight in the dynamic realm of the Google Play Store. These selected applications are showcased prominently on the platform, receiving prime visibility and attention from millions of users.
Being featured is a coveted recognition that catapults an app’s visibility, engagement, and user base.
These apps are handpicked by the Play Store editors, who curate collections that encompass various categories, genres, and themes.
Featured apps often bear labels like “Editors’ Pick” or “Top Developer,” signifying their quality, innovation, and alignment with current trends.
Excited about developing an app but overwhelmed by the fast-paced world of mobile app development trends? Explore our article for valuable insights, ensuring your app stays ahead in the dynamic realm of app innovation.
Why Do Featured Apps Matter?
Let’s trace out some reasons why featured apps actually matter –
- Increased Visibility: Featured apps enjoy prime real estate on the Play Store, ensuring they’re among the first options users encounter.
- Credibility and Trust: The “Featured” label lends credibility to apps, assuring users that these apps have been deemed noteworthy by Google’s discerning editors.
- Boosted Downloads: Higher visibility translates to increased downloads, thereby accelerating an app’s growth and user base.
- Enhanced Engagement: Featured apps often benefit from increased engagement, ratings, and reviews as they are more likely to be explored by interested users.
- Strategic Advantage: Featuring positions an app ahead of competitors, allowing it to stand out and leave a lasting impression.
Intriguingly, the criteria for being featured extend beyond technical excellence. While technical prowess is important, factors such as user experience, innovation, design, and alignment with current trends contribute to an app’s selection.
For developers, securing a feature spot can mark a turning point, amplifying an app’s journey from creation to global recognition.
What are the Different Options for Getting Your App Noticed on the Google Play Store?
When spotlighting your Android app’s exceptional performance, Google provides various avenues beyond app featuring. These options offer exposure and recognition, helping your app gain attention in the competitive app landscape.
You can go through the following image to understand the options at a glance –
Here are two tables presenting the information related to options you have to feature your app on the Google Play Store –
Table 1: Showcasing Popularity
Category | Description |
Top Free | Most popular free apps ever. |
Top Paid | Highly favored paid apps. |
Top Grossing | Revenue-generating apps, including in-app purchases. |
Trending Apps | Apps with rapid installation growth within 24 hours. |
Table 2: Spotlighting Fresh Arrivals
Category | Description |
Top New Free/Paid | Newest popular apps, less than 30 days old. |
Selected by Google Play Team | |
Featured | Handpicked new apps. |
Staff Picks | Rotating selection of staff-recommended apps. |
Editors’ Choice | Top-tier Android apps on Google Play. |
Top Developer | Outstanding developers recognized by Google Play. |
It’s essential to remember that while optimizing your app’s description and adhering to Google Play guidelines is vital, additional steps are required to secure a feature.
What Are the Benefits of Featuring Your App on the Google Play Store?
Having your app featured on the Google Play Store can offer many advantages, propelling your app to the forefront of user attention and recognition.
Here are the key benefits:
1. Increased Visibility and Downloads
Being featured places your app in a prominent position within the Play Store. Users browsing through various categories and sections are more likely to notice and explore your app, leading to a substantial increase in downloads.
The increased visibility also enhances your app’s chances of being discovered by users who might not have encountered it otherwise.
2. Enhanced Credibility
Google Play Store is a trusted platform, and having your app featured by Google adds a layer of credibility and legitimacy to your app.
Users are more likely to trust and engage with apps that have received the platform’s endorsement, leading to higher installation rates and lower uninstallation rates.
3. Expansion of User Base
Being featured exposes your app to a broader audience, reaching users of different demographics and geographical regions. This exposure can expand your user base, allowing your app to connect with a diverse range of users.
4. Boosted Revenue Generation
Higher visibility and increased downloads directly contribute to improved revenue generation. Users who engage with your app after discovering it through the feature are more likely to make in-app purchases, subscribe to premium plans, or explore other monetization options.
5. Organic Marketing
When users discover and enjoy your app through its features, they are more inclined to share their positive experiences with others. This organic word-of-mouth marketing can result in a snowball effect, driving more users to explore and download your app.
6. Access to Insights and Feedback
Increased visibility often comes with a surge in user feedback. Users who discover your app through the feature will likely provide insights, suggestions, and comments, helping you understand how your app is perceived and where improvements might be needed.
7. Developer Recognition
Being recognized as an Editors’ Choice app or as part of the Top Developer category positions you as a reputable developer in the eyes of users and the industry.
This recognition can lead to collaboration opportunities, partnerships, and increased visibility for your future projects.
8. Long-lasting Impact
The effects of being featured can extend well beyond the actual featuring period. The exposure gained during this time can continue to attract users long after the feature ends.
Users who discover your app through the feature might become long-term loyal users, boosting engagement and downloads.
Being featured on the Google Play Store provides a unique platform to showcase your app, gain credibility, and connect with a broader audience.
The benefits encompass enhanced visibility, user engagement, revenue, and recognition, making it a coveted achievement for any app developer.
Which 11 Steps Should You Follow to Get Your App Get Featured on Google Play Store?
Becoming a featured app requires careful planning, strategic execution, and a keen understanding of the app ecosystem.
Now we’ll discuss eleven comprehensive steps that can help your app stand out and earn its place among the coveted featured apps on the Google Play Store –
1. Understand Your Competition
To secure a spot on the coveted Google Play Store featured list, thoroughly examine currently featured apps. Research the Play Store, focusing on apps with tags like “Top Developer” or “Editor’s Picks.”
Download and study these apps on your mobile device, highlighting commonalities in design, platform feel, features, functionalities, and accessibility. You can gain insights into why these apps are featured by identifying shared attributes.
2. Enhance User Interaction & Experience
An essential aspect of featured apps is an exemplary user interface (UI) and exceptional app experience. When developing your app, prioritize delivering and maintaining the highest quality interface.
Aim to provide an interactive and unique experience across all devices.
Google’s Material Design guidelines are crucial; failing to integrate them may hinder your app’s chances of being featured. Investing in UI/UX excellence is a cornerstone for earning a spot on the featured list.
3. Improve App Functionality & Performance
Featured apps meet Google’s quality standards for functional and user interaction. To improve your chances, test the final APK file against Android App Quality Guidelines before uploading it to the Play Store.
Adhering to these guidelines ensures a streamlined user experience and presents cues for qualification.
Embrace Core App Quality Guidelines to refine your app’s efficiency, functionalities, and overall user experience.
4. Develop an Android-Friendly App
Before pursuing other strategies, ensure your app is tailored for Android.
If your app originated on iOS, adhere to several key pointers:
- Support the latest Android versions
- Follow Google’s Launch Checklist, optimize for various device types
- Maintain a compact file size under 100MB
- Create a Native app tailored for Android
- Ensure compatibility with high-resolution displays
- Integrate default Android buttons.
This checklist guarantees a smooth app experience for Android users.
5. Embrace Latest Technologies
Google’s annual I/O developer conference introduces cutting-edge products and trends. Crafting your app using these technologies positions you as an early adopter, enhancing your app’s visibility and potential for featuring.
Staying updated with emerging trends increases your app’s relevance and chances of standing out among the competition.
6. Optimize with App Store Optimization (ASO)
App Store Optimization (ASO) is to apps what SEO is to websites.
Elevate your app’s visibility by optimizing key elements:
- Create an attention-grabbing app icon
- Incorporate relevant keywords in the title
- Craft a concise yet informative app description with targeted keywords
- Include high-quality screenshots and videos showcasing your app’s features.
These ASO tactics maximize your app’s discoverability and visibility on the Play Store.
7. Expand Reach through Localization
Presenting your app in multiple languages opens doors to a global user base 2 billion. Localizing your app boosts downloads and draws attention from store editors. Meeting users in their native languages enhances your app’s accessibility and potential for featuring.
8. Strategic App Promotion
Promote your app on various social channels to increase visibility and credibility. Effective promotion is a crucial branding activity that draws attention to your newly developed application.
Apps generating buzz through promotion often catch the eye of Google Play Store editors, enhancing the likelihood of featuring.
9. Leverage Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is a potent tool in today’s social media landscape. Partner with influencers in your app’s niche to tap into their follower base.
Building positive relationships with influencers allows your app to gain exposure among their audience, increasing the chances of being noticed by Google Play Store editors.
10. Prioritize Ratings & Reviews
User satisfaction is paramount. Apps that go the extra mile to deliver a positive user experience and garner positive reviews stand out. Google values user feedback, and apps with high ratings and positive reviews are more likely to be considered for featuring.
Implement strategies to incentivize users to leave reviews and maintain high user satisfaction.
11. Strategic Updates for Festive Appeal
Timely updates that align with changing trends and user demands showcase your commitment to user satisfaction. Optimizing app updates during festive seasons resonates with Google’s preference for timely and relevant content.
As Google’s featured lists often align with festive themes, strategically updating your app during such periods enhances its chances of gaining recognition.
Follow these comprehensive steps to propel your app on Google Play towards the coveted featured list. By understanding these 11 steps, you’re on the path to catching the attention of the Google Play Store and securing a feature spot.
Which Factors Should You Avoid When Looking to Get Your App Featured in the Play Store?
Gaining a coveted spot on Google Play Store’s featured lists can significantly boost your app’s visibility. Certain practices can hinder your chances of achieving this recognition.
Here’s an elaboration on the factors to avoid:
1. Avoid Non-Google Payment Providers
Using payment providers other than those officially recognized by Google can result in your app being rejected for featuring.
Google emphasizes security and user trust, and integrating non-Google payment methods can compromise this trust.
2. Avoid App Downloads Chain Reaction
Creating an app encouraging users to download other applications can be perceived as artificially inflating download numbers.
Google aims to maintain a fair and authentic environment for app distribution, so apps that try to manipulate downloads in this way might face rejection.
3. Avoid Incentivized Ratings
Offering rewards or incentives in exchange for high app ratings is not in line with ethical and genuine app promotion.
Google values honest user feedback and ratings, and artificially boosting ratings through incentives can undermine the integrity of the app ecosystem.
By understanding these aspects and avoiding these factors that can hinder your app’s chances, you can enhance your app’s visibility and increase the likelihood of being featured on the Google Play Store’s coveted lists.
Wrapping Up
Securing a spotlight for your app on the Google Play Store is undeniably a game-changer. The benefits are manifold, ranging from increased visibility to amplified revenue.
As app developers and businesses aim to stand out in a crowded marketplace, achieving a feature on the Play Store can be the catalyst for success.
So, as you set out on your app development journey, prioritize creating a top-quality app experience, keeping these advantages in mind, and striving for that coveted featured spot.