Forum Discussion
Play Store number of downloads counter
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
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.
