sonarApp Store Optimization Insights
Data-driven research, practical guides, and strategies for ranking higher on the App Store and Google Play.
New app boost: does the App Store give one?
Is the new app boost real? Sonar rank data on 34 newly launched iOS apps, why downloads drop after launch week, and whether app updates bring another bump.
How many downloads should a new app get?
How many downloads should a new app get? Estimate your iOS search ceiling per keyword from Apple popularity and rank, plus Sonar data on 2,329 tracked apps.
I let an AI agent localize my App Store listing
App Store localization case study: an AI agent rewrote ReelMeal's listing for 35 storefronts. Downloads went 19 to 90 a month, then it erased 21 top-10 ranks.
Case study: why I dropped a popular keyword from my App Store title
ReelMeal's US App Store page got impressions from 'recipe keeper' but converted at 0.19%. The data behind re-anchoring the title on 'video to recipe', and what changed after.
App Store trends: weekly chart and search data
Short-drama apps VibeShort and DramaWave climbed on both US app stores. This page updates every Tuesday with fresh US App Store and Google Play chart data.
App Not Showing Up in the App Store? A 3-Check Fix
App not showing up in App Store search, even by its exact name? Check indexing per storefront, then your rank on your own name, then autocorrect, in that order.
Apple Offer Codes vs Win-Back & Promotional Offers
Apple offer codes, win-back, promotional and introductory offers compared: eligibility, App Store Connect limits, StoreKit 2 APIs, and how to measure real lift.
App Store Age Rating: New Tiers and Questionnaire
How the app store age rating works now: the 4+ to 18+ tiers, the new questionnaire, social media questions, and how to set or change it in App Store Connect.
Apple Search Ads Reporting: Export to Sheets & BI
Apple Search Ads reporting export guide: pull campaign and keyword reports via Apple's API into Google Sheets, Looker Studio, BigQuery or Redshift, with code.
Build Your Own ASO Dashboard: Data & Stack
How to build an ASO dashboard: which metrics come from App Store Connect and Play Console, which need a keyword API, plus a starter stack and cadence.
Apple Search Ads Cost: CPT, CPI & Indie Budgets
Apple Search Ads cost explained for 2026: how the tap auction prices CPT, how to turn CPT into CPI, and what $5, $20 or $50 a day buys an indie iOS app.
Google Play Feature Graphic: Size, Specs & Design Tips
The Google Play feature graphic spec: 1024×500 JPEG or 24-bit PNG, cutoff zones, where it renders in 2026, what Google bans, and design patterns by category.
App cross-promotion: move users between your apps
App cross promotion for indie portfolios: what Apple and Google allow, in-app placements and store surfaces that work, keyword splits, and when it backfires.
App press release and press kit
Write an app press release, build a useful press kit, and pitch niche media with a fictional template, launch timing checklist, and practical measurement tips.
App Store pre order: an iOS launch guide
Plan your App Store pre order with Apple's release windows, review steps, billing rules, and launch metrics. Build momentum without promising ranking lifts.
Google Play app rejected? Fixes and resubmission
Got your Google Play app rejected? Diagnose policy issues, fix reviewer access and data declarations, then prepare a corrected submission or an appeal.
How to respond to App Store reviews: templates
Learn how to respond to app store reviews with calm templates for bugs, refunds, angry feedback, feature requests, and praise, plus Apple and Google Play steps.
App Soft Launch: Where, How Long & What to Measure
Plan an app soft launch with clear market choices, mature cohorts, and a measurement worksheet. Learn when to pause, iterate, or expand your public release.