At Coffee Digital, we're always on the lookout for the latest developments in the app world. This time, an update from the Google camp that impacts App Store Optimization. Last year at Google I/O, major changes were already announced for the Play Store on large screen devices. Now Google has finally rolled these changes out.Here are the four key updates coming soon to the Play Store for finding and downloading apps:
Redesigned Play Store listing for Games
You can think of the Play Store listing as your app's shop window. It's the ideal way to showcase your app's features and added value.For games, the layout of the Play Store listing has been overhauled. Games now get a large video banner to promote the gaming experience. There's also a new sidebar column showing more similar apps.
Ranking and quality improvements
Since the launch of the Stores, App Store Optimization (ASO) has been an essential part of offering an app in the Stores.To help the best apps stand out on larger screens, several changes have been made to improve quality on Play. Apps and games that meet the quality guidelines for large screen apps are now ranked higher in search results and on the Apps and Games homepage. This helps users find apps that are responsive (both mobile and tablet formats). These criteria are also factored into the selection of "Editor's Choice" and other curated collections and articles, creating new opportunities for well regarded apps optimized for larger screens.
Last year, Google also introduced a "penalty" for apps that don't meet Google Play's per device Technical Quality Bar.The third ranking related change is the (additional) promotion of Store Listing Assets (your app's screenshots), which are now shown directly on the Apps and Games homepage. Google recommends uploading new assets in the larger (tablet) format. They've indicated that apps using this format will be promoted more in newer versions of the Play Store.
Simplified store navigation
For a smoother browsing experience, store navigation has been simplified and moved to a navigation bar on the left side on larger screens. This puts menu items closer to the user's thumb and makes them more accessible, especially when the device is held in landscape mode.
Split screen search
Google is also introducing a new search experience that makes it easier to discover and compare apps directly from the search results page. App detail pages are now shown side by side within the search results, so users no longer have to switch back and forth while exploring new apps.
These exciting updates will roll out over the coming weeks, and according to Google, this is just the beginning for App Store Listings on the big screen. Stay up to date on the latest developments in app marketing and follow our blog for everything related to App Marketing!
