Forum Discussion
Play Store number of downloads counter
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.
In addition to the lack of insight into real installs for developers, I see another problem.
A low number of downloads also sends a signal to companies that want to use apps like this. “What, only 45 users? Maybe we shouldn't buy such a niche product. Who knows how long it'll be supported if the developers aren't making any money.”
The lack of insight should really be handled by the dev with their own analytics - the Play store number goes through a "de-spamming" process anyway and isn't really that accurate for dev insights.
The issue of looking like a smaller app (in terms of users) than it is an interesting one but ultimately the same could be argued by users who distribute via other stores as well where the userbase is split. Ultimately this issue comes down to "should play count and display anonymous downloads" which is effectively what is happening. The problem with this is the publicly show download number is unique users and as soon as you count anonymous users that would break the whole thing!
Not sure if there is a good solution for this other than to allow developers to choose to hide the download number on the store. Of course that also has issues.
Ben
Yes absolutely - Just generally there are a number of issues with the stats shown on Play. One they only details apps distributed by Play and not other stores (if applicable), they are often subject to delays while data is collated - we have seen stats change or even not show at all for 3, occasionally 4 weeks which can lead to a dev seeing a number that isn't yet accurate. The only way to be sure of your own metrics is to record your own, either something like Google Analytics or a roll your own will currently give you much more accurate results.
I see what you mean - I think it's always good to have multiple records of your metrics, if possible.
Google Analytics is a good suggestion as most of you within the community deal with a large fleet of devices (and a lot of end users too!).
The lack of insight should really be handled by the dev with their own analytics
Absolutely not. Unless we're removing insights for everyone. These aren't anonymous downloads in the way an APK has been pulled through some private API, they're Google-generated and managed work accounts running in Google-managed enterprises; Google can and should be identifying them as such.
No one's debating absolute accuracy, but an indication of use should be a given. Especially considering how much emphasis is put on analytics, showing right on the console dashboard for every app.They also could split it into 2 views, so the current one for downloads made via public playstore and one counter for enterprise (MGP) downloads.
I think that could be worth to know for app developers and fully agree it should be public visible.Google can and should be identifying them as such.
Indeed but "should" and what is happening are two different things. If today you want accurate answers you need to roll your own. That not to say you should not push for better analytics but even if you were successful in that it will be 8 months to a year before you saw any changes.
