Our client’s @theplazaapp #apppreview video is now available for all fans new and old. This is one of the many services @apppromo offers #developers to help promote their #applications. Don’t forget to download the application if you haven’t already. Its free in the #appstore at http://www.bit.ly/downloadtheplazaapp
Important reading from a recent Nielsen Survey on App Usage.
http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2015/so-many-apps-so-much-more-time-for-entertainment.html
But while marketers and app developers continue to add functionality and robustness to apps, they also must effectively position them to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Despite the increase in choices, the number of apps used is staying the same. A recent Nielsen analysis found that on average, U.S. smartphone users accessed 26.7 apps per month in the fourth quarter of 2014—a number that has remained relatively flat over the last two years. And consider this: Over 70% of the total usage is coming from the top 200 apps.
However, while there appears to be a consumer threshold to the total number of apps people are willing and/or able to actively use during the month, the time they spend engaging on those apps has increased. In fact, the monthly time spent per person has increased from 23 hours and two minutes in fourth-quarter 2012 to 37 hours and 28 minutes in fourth-quarter 2014—a 63% rise in two years! So the reward for being one of the chosen apps is heavy engagement by the user.
The study also found that while men’s monthly app usage was a bit higher than women (27.2 vs. 26.3 apps, respectively), female users lead the way in terms of time spent. Women spend an average of 38 hours and two minutes per month on apps while men spend 36 hours and 51 minutes per month.
Another key takeaway from the analysis was the diversity of app usage among different races and ethnicities.
African-Americans not only use the most apps per month (30.3), but they are also spend nearly 43 hours per month on them. Hispanics spend 41 hours and 31 minutes (the second highest in time spent per month) across an average of 27.9 apps per month. Asian-Americans average 37 hours and 14 minutes per month, while white non-Hispanic users spend 35 hours and 25 minutes per month.
But what is powering the increased popularity of apps?
Nielsen found that the emergence of the entertainment categories is a contributor to the overall increase in app usage. In fact, not only has the entertainment category seen a 13% increase in unique audience year-over-year as of fourth-quarter 2014, but this audience is spending nearly three hours more on apps over the same period—a 26% growth!
The entertainment category comprises a variety of app functions, from those where consumers can check the weather to those that showcase the latest sports scores. Nielsen found that when it comes to smartphone usage, the Gaming entertainment subcategory is the biggest draw. In fact, 76% of entertainment app users (115 million) played at least one game in fourth-quarter 2014, and time spent on gaming increased by 1:35 per month to 10:02. Music is the second most popular subcategory, with a 13 million increase year over year among users. Meanwhile, video/movies grew to nearly 104 million users and 1:44 per month.
Insights about mobile app usage were gathered using Mobile NetView 3.0, Nielsen’s on-device software, which is installed with permission on panelist smartphones (approximately 5,000 panelists ages 18+ with Android and iOS handsets). The panelists are recruited online in English and include Hispanic, African-American and Asian-American consumer representation.
Source : http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2015/so-many-apps-so-much-more-time-for-entertainment.html
@AppPromo is pleased to be mentioned as one of the top five best #AppMarketing Agencies by MobileCommerce. We are humbled and very appreciative that our clients and colleagues see the value in the hard work that goes into #AppMarketing and #promotion. @AppPromo will continue to work harder to enable our client’s successes!
App Promo is built from the ground up to push apps and games, be them iPhone or Android titles. They offer everything you could need to get your app off the ground, including more than just ASO (App Store Optimization) and guaranteed downloads, but rather more nuanced strategies that create lasting results and continued revenues. With games like Moto X Mayhem in their clients list, it’s obvious App Promo is doing something right.
Apple is planning to get rid of the longstanding 30% fee it forces app and media companies to pay when they sell a subscription through the App Store, according to The Financial Times.
This is a big deal for publishers who sell subscriptions through Apple’s Newsstand app, like Conde Nast and Time, and streaming audio and video services who sell their wares through apps in Apple’s App Store, like Spotify and HBO Now.
It means they’ll earn much more revenue on content sold through the App Store, which could offer a compelling reason to keep developers interested in iOS versus Android and other competitors.
Apple drew some flak when it introduced these terms for subscription content back in 2011. The 30% fee was standard on app sales and standalone downloads of music or video, but some folks argued that subscription-based services shouldn’t be subject to the fee, as they bore most of the cost of delivering the subscription after the initial download.
The report comes just before Apple’s giant developers conference, where the company will talk about its big ambitions for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and App Store among other things.
Article from by Lisa Eadicicco on http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-getting-rid-of-30-tax-on-content-subscriptions-2015-6
@Appromo would like to share the June 2, 2015 article by Sarah Perez (@sarahintampa) for @TechCrunch.
Apple quietly made a number of changes to the way it features and organizes mobile applications in the iTunes App Store in May that are of particular interest to mobile game developers. Previously, developers relied on algorithmically generated sections highlighting new and trending titles as a way of having their games found, but now many of these lists are gone.Now missing are lists like “New,” “What’s Hot,” and “All iPhone (Free & Paid),” for example. In their place, including for the first time ever in the Games’ subcategory pages, are editorially curated lists instead.The removal of the “All iPhone (Free & Paid)” section was likely in part due to abuse on the part of app developers, as a number of publishers listed their games with “AAA” or “AAAAA” or other “A” words in order to show up first. That seemed to be an odd strategy since it’s unclear how many consumers will willingly download an app with a title that appears so spammy. But just as with the phone book in years past, there are always those businesses who believe that simply being at the top of a list is the key to success.
An old version of the App Store
The now-removed new release section was not alphabetical, but appeared to have been based on download volume, as not every new app made the cut. However, the section did give indie developers a shot at organic app downloads if they could acquire a lot of traffic within the first few days following their app’s debut.
Going forward, it seems that Apple is moving away from these algorithmically derived and more automated lists. Today, the App Store’s Games section instead features lists like “Best New Games” and “All Time Greats,” which are created by Apple editors and refreshed on a weekly basis. These are featured alongside previous launched lists like “More Games You Might Like,” which is a personalized list based on your purchase history.
The App Store Now
What’s also notable about the changes is that this represents the first time the Games’ subcategory pages (e.g., Action, Adventure, Racing, Trivia, etc.) have included editorially created lists.
These pages now have their own banner art at the top as well in order to better highlight the best new games within those sections. Within each subcategory page, consumers can browse editorial collections, including “Best New Games,” “All-Time Greats,” “Free,” and “Pay Once & Play.”
Games Subcategory Page
To what extent these changes have impacted app developer varies, but a handful reported substantial drops in organic downloads, ranging from 30 percent to as high as 90 percent, during the first week after launch. Discussing the matter on private forums, developers have even reported seeing launch day numbers drop from ~1,000 downloads per day to just 100.
That being said, for a majority of app developers, the removed sections won’t have a significant or lasting impact on app downloads, especially for those who have made more of an effort to focus on being discovered through App Store search, or have more refined user acquisition and marketing strategies.
More importantly, the editorial sections mean those developers who build great games will be rewarded for doing so, instead of having to compete against an inscrutable algorithm.
It also means that developers who have tried to make a quick buck with scam apps, clones and other rip-offs won’t have as easy a time at being discovered thanks to the shift to curation. As you may recall in the post-Flappy Bird era of the App Store, a number of developers shot to the top of Apple’s charts with ridiculous apps, like that one featuring a bouncy ball that was nothing more than a GameSalad template, for example. Apps like these are less likely to be featured by editors, so less likely to rise in the charts and then go viral.
The changes, which hit the App Store in mid-May, are currently only being seen in the U.S. market. They’re a part of Apple’s ongoing efforts to showcase more curated content in the App Store, as opposed to highlighting broader categories of apps. For the company, it’s a necessary shift in strategy as the store continues to fill with new apps – Apple reported this January its store now features over 1.4 million apps, up from a million in late 2013. It may update those numbers again at its forthcoming WWDC event this month.
@AppPromo shares insights from our Spring 2015 Newsletter with June MacDonald, Editor of Contentmixing. Don’t forget to enter our complimentary App Evaluation, more details are available by watching the enclosed Google Hangout
The Mobile Personas 2015 report is out now! In its third year, the findings of this year’s study show Mobile Moms are relying ever more heavily on their phones for shopping research and Millenials are eschewing TV for mobile video. See more highlights in the infographic below.
This year’s report has also been split into demographic sections for easier purchase. Contact us for pricing details.
You can also download the Mobile Personas 2015 Infographic as a PDF file.
The Mobile Personas report is a study of Canadian consumers and their mobile usage. The 2015 Study combines a comprehensive analysis of mobile behavior, attitudes and trends over time to help agencies, brand marketers and manufacturers devise effective mobile strategies. Mobile Personas is a collaboration between Brandspark International (consumer and shopper insights), Tapped Mobile (mobile advertising) and AppPromo (app strategy and monetization).
We invite you to listen to @AppPromo lastest #podcast on the Business of App Development. This podcast was conducted by the @AppsAlliance of which @AppPromo is a proud member. Let us know your thoughts, tweet us or email as we are always happy to hear from you!
@AppPromo’s company mission is to help developers, brands, agencies and individuals understand the business of mobile applications. That is the reason we started the company and that is the basis for our success. Congrats to #Apple for creating #AppAnalytics. A great tool for #developers that offers #free and #powerful data. This is a step in the right direction in understanding the #business of #mobileapplications. Don’t hesitate to contact us to help you explore and navigate this powerful tool!
Calling all #charities: New @ThePlazaApp combines the features of Reddit and Google Maps to support your cause.Features Feeds From Your City and The World
Available for iPhone and iPad on the App Store (bit.ly/plazaapp)
Share This Release: bit.ly/plazapress
Download the App: bit.ly/plazaapp
TORONTO, April 21, 2015 /CNW/ – Calling all charities and social enterprises – new social app Plaza wants you to help kick start the discussion on the topics, issues and causes that matter most. Plaza breaks down barriers globally to discuss locally. Available for free download on iPhone and iPad on the App Store (bit.ly/plazaapp) now.
Plaza is the dynamic new social network that brings your city to life! Discover interesting local content and share yourself with friends, family and the people around you. Plaza supports text, audio, photo and video, and functions like a local forum (think Reddit meets Google Maps). You can choose to post either publicly or anonymously. Organizing a local event or protesting a cause? With Plaza, you can gather supporters by creating your own custom categories on almost any niche topic.
Plaza Special Features:
“Our original idea was to create a live feed for an entire city. Social networking is trending further towards local communication, but sometimes it can get boring seeing posts from the same people on Facebook,” said Spencer Graham, Founder, Plaza. “With Plaza, we created a platform that allows users to see posts from any person that shares the same city. The name Plaza is fitting since that’s the center of a city where people gather.”
Plaza is engaging charities nationally to gain exclusive access and share messages relating to their chosen cause and issue. By providing a forum for open discussion, Plaza aims to unite communities in common interests and causes, while highlighting the commendable efforts of the organizations that are on the ground everyday making a difference.
Have your say in a dynamic and relevant way by engaging those in your community. Login to see what everyone is talking about.
Note: iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
About Plaza: Plaza is the dynamic new social network that brings your city to life! Discover interesting local content and share yourself with friends, family and the people around you. Plaza supports text, audio, photo and video, and functions like a local forum (think Reddit meets Google Maps). You may choose to post either publicly or anonymously. http://theplazaapp.com
SOURCE @AppPromo
For further information:
Media Contacts:
Nikki Lamb Tudico, Lamb Creative Group, nikki@lambcreativegroup.com, 416-878-2250