Forum Discussion
Play Store number of downloads counter
Hi BenMcc,
Thank you, some apps have so few downloads that I am quite sure the number can't be right. However it is very likely that these downloads are through the MGP in stead of manual end users downloads from the Play Store.
Are these numbers and details how these numbers are counted documented anywhere?
Hi Tom1
I am afraid I don't know of any documentation like that. I know Play keep the exact way that number is calculated close to their chest - presumably to stop some devs trying to game the system. I have asked the question downloads through MGP are counted but it may be a while before I get an answer (if I get one at all). Emilie_B may be able to get an answer faster - but as I say sometimes with metrics like this then Play is not keen on spilling the beans so there may not be answer.
Hi Tom1
Hope you’re well - apologies for the delayed answer!
I’ve consulted the team internally and they said that the downloads only count when done with a Google account.
Managed Google Play uses randomised work accounts that are generated in the enrolment process with no binding to Google services.
Please let us know if this was helpful :)
Chat soon,
Emilie
That's helpful technically explaining the cause, that doesn't help developers gain insight into their install base though. Can we see some change here to help?
As an example I've got almost 2k active installs on my app, but play shows... 45.
45.
If I were using play alone to track this, I'd have thrown the app in the bin a year ago as a failed project.
