Apple has recently made a few changes to the algorithms it use in the App Store. The new changes have dramatically changed the way apps are ranked in searches on all iOS devices.
The changes are specific to the way the store organizes search results when users search for particular keywords and terms. While the changes affect rankings on searches, they do not have any effect on how apps are ranked in the top charts on the App Store.
The recent changes were first spotted by MoblieDevHQ, a company that provides tools and services for marketing apps. The company is also a proponent of ASO or App Store Optimization, which is a concept very similar to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) but is specific to apps. ASO is said to help app developers market their apps and reach a wider audience on app stores such as App Store and Google Play.
MobileDevHQ reported that the algorithm changes affect search results for both iPad and iPhone users. The changes were implemented sometime between Dec. 11 and Dec. 12. Ranking changes on the iOS store are relatively normal and developers can expect a shift of about 5 positions on any given day. However, the recent changes brought about a change of 41.5 positions, which is around 8 times the norm.
MobileDevHQ has also reported that the new algorithms shifted the positions of 62.8 percent of apps on the store by more than 5 positions. Additionally, approximately 40 percent of the apps experienced a shift of over 20 positions. This data is contrary to previous metrics that usually indicate that around 17 percent of apps would experience shifts of over 5 positions while 3 percent of the apps would shift by over 20 positions.
From the average user's point of view, the changes will be most obvious when looking at the top five search results for any keyword. While user's will normally see an 8 percent change to the top apps, the update has brought about a change of 31 percent.
Apple has not yet announced its reasons for the changes, though we believe the latest changes are part of its atempt to improve the experience for users and developers alike.
