ASO (App Store Optimization) Monthly Roundup – December 2021

This is an ASO (App Store Optimization) monthly roundup for December 2021.

In this ASO monthly roundup series, we share insights about App Store Optimization, mobile trends, new apps and content delivered by the biggest names in mobile!

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ASO Monthly Roundup – December 2021

1. Google Appears to Remove The “Last Updated” Section from The App Listings

According to a user who posted a screenshot of the latest change on Reddit, Google removed the “last updated” section from the Play Store listings. This affects a few apps, and it is no longer possible to see when those apps were last updated.

This seems to affect only the Play Store listings on Android phones, not the web version.

Google Appears to Remove The "Last Updated" Section from The App Listings

2. Android Gaming Is Officially Coming to Windows with ‘Google Play Games’ PC App in 2022

In a surprise announcement at The Game Awards, Google revealed that it’s bringing Android gaming to Windows PCs next year through a desktop Play Games app.

Interestingly, Google isn’t partnering with Microsoft to bring Play Games to Windows PCs. Instead, Google has built the product on its own based on “incredible feedback from developers and players.”

Once Google Play Games expands to Windows, you’ll be able to seamlessly switch between your phone, tablet, and PC. 

Google Play Games Windows

3. Play Store Adds ‘Your Devices’ Search Filter To Make It Easier to Find Compatible Apps

To help you find apps for all of your Android and Wear OS devices, the Play Store now has a neat search filter to help you get compatible apps for all of your hardware.

Expanding upon the ability to remotely install apps from your phone to Android TV and Wear OS watches, this new search filter will appear when you enter a term or query and want to drill down into more concise and targeted sections.

Play Store Adds ‘Your Devices’ Search Filter To Make It Easier to Find Compatible Apps

4. Google Play Store Adds More Prominent Button to Check for Updates

The Google Play Store is adding a much more prominent way to check for updates.

Available under Play Store > Settings > About, this new option simply builds on existing functionality. For some users, an “Update Play Store” button appears underneath the Play Store version to quickly and easily allow users to check for an upgrade to the app marketplace.

Prior to this change, the Play Store did offer a method of checking for updates to its own app, but it wasn’t very intuitive. Tapping on the Store’s version number would trigger a check for updates available to the app, but because there was no clear indication of this functionality, most users weren’t aware it existed.

This more prominent button certainly makes it more obvious that users can, in fact, check for updates to the Play Store itself, but it’s not yet rolled out widely. 

5. Facebook app portfolio receives ‘Meta’ Play Store rebrand

After announcing a full rebrand from Facebook to Meta, the entire app portfolio of the social media giant is now reflecting this change on the Google Play Store.

If you see “Meta Platforms, Inc” when searching, downloading, or updating some of your apps on the Play Store, it’s the same Facebook you know and love – for better or worse.

6. 91% More Publishers Reached $1 Million Revenue Mark in 2021 Than 5 Years Ago

The number of publishers making $1 million in net income in 2021 has doubled since 2016, according to new data released by Sensor Tower.

Over 900 publishers are projected to surpass the $1 million mark in 2021, up 91% over 2016.

However, the number of publishers surpassing $1 million in net income in 2021 is predicted to drop when compared to last year.

91% More Publishers Reached $1 Million Revenue Mark in 2021 Than 5 Years Ago

7. Eight Mobile Games Reach Over $1 Billion Each in Revenues In 2021

In 2021, eight mobile app games generated over $1 billion each in revenues from the App Store and Google Play.

According to Sensor Tower, these include PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings from Tencent and Genshin Impact from miHoYo.

PUBG Mobile ranks first and Honor of Kings second for revenues globally this year generating $2.6 billion each in 2021, up 9 and 15%, respectively.

Eight Mobile Games Reach Over $1 Billion Each in Revenues In 2021

8. Gen X Are Active Mobile Gamers – And Other Insights for Mobile Advertisers

Mobile games are among the favorite activities when using smartphones among Generation X with 70% playing games to unwind.

That’s according to a new report on the Modern Mobile Gamer 2021: Gen X Edition from mobile experts Tapjoy.

The mobile ads and campaigns that perform best with Gen X include funny, succinct and rewarded ads. Nearly 40% completed rewarded ad offers with 28% doing so once or twice a week.

Gen X Are Active Mobile Gamers

9. App Tracking Transparency (ATT) Opt-In Rates Reached 46%

App Tracking Transparency (ATT) opt-in rates reached 46% over the last few months of 2021, according to data released by AppsFlyer.

The opt-in rates demonstrate that for one in two instances when a user is asked to opt-in to app tracking they allow it in exchange for a more personalized experience.

AppsFlyer predicts that opt-in rates could improve even further as users want to ensure they don’t get too many untargeted ads.

App Tracking Transparency (ATT) Opt-In Rates Reached 46%

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