How Top Brands Increase App Installs: Powerful Strategies You Can Steal

Getting people to install your mobile app is now harder than ever, not because users don’t want apps, but because they have too many choices and very little patience.  The moment users find an app irrelevant, they switch – leading to fluctuating download and install numbers. This raises an important question: Is it even possible to consistently increase app downloads and installs?

The truth is, low downloads are a real concern, and getting users to keep the app installed is an even bigger challenge. However, you can get app downloads and installs increased up to twice their current value with clever marketing. And users will remain glued to the app as well. Eager to know how you can increase mobile app downloads? Check the following!

Table of Contents

Mobile App Install Trends 2025: Key Stats and Insights

Why Low App Downloads Should Worry You

A low number of app downloads and installs will always be a concern since it hints at a high customer acquisition cost. It means you’re spending more to convince users but gaining fewer installs in return. This imbalance slows down growth and weakens your overall app marketing ROI. Fewer installs also limit your app’s visibility on the app stores, making future acquisition even harder.

Why Aren’t People Installing Your App? OR Why Do App Downloads Drop

We looked into what really causes low app downloads and installs. Spot the issue you’re facing, and together, we’ll find the solution to increase your installs.

1. App Quality

No matter how wonderful features your app has, the users will refrain from installing it if the features seem irrelevant. So, on the install page itself, your app needs to be appealing enough to increase mobile app install.

2. Keyword Shifts

Sometimes low app installs rates can be due to keyword changes, a common issue where popular keywords in app stores lose effectiveness over time.
As a result, new keywords are becoming more important than old ones. So, you need to optimize your app for stronger keywords to get ranked and and amplify your app downloads and increase installs.

3. Algorithm Update

The crawling and ranking algorithms of Google are ever-changing. Maintaining a competitive edge in a crowded app market is essential to keeping up with these algorithm changes. Unless the apps are updated with the recent algorithms, they will not be visible anywhere. As a result, the mobile app installs will be limited in number.

4. Poor Color Schemes

There are some trending colors for different domains and target audiences. An app loses its relevance if it does not follow these, which is another reason behind low app downloads.
Thus, trendy colors tailored to specific demographics and services are essential to ensure that the app remains competitive and attracts users and increases app downloads.

5. Average Graphics

Well, app downloads may fall due to poor quality or average graphics. If the graphics are not impressive enough, users feel less connected to the app. As a result, they either do not download the app or uninstall it after using it once/twice.

6. Insufficient Tech Stack

In today’s competitive marketplace, users expect innovation to enhance and add value to their experience. A mobile app without advanced features will fail to appeal to the target group and get more downloads. As a result, the number of downloads will come downward.

7. Slow Loading Speed

Apps that frequently crash or have slow loading speed run the risk of immediate rejection by users. When a mobile app has 3+ seconds of wait time – the users will not take a second to uninstall it. Therefore, you must optimize its speed to get more app downloads and skyrocket your installs.

8. Strong Competitors

Strong competitors can be a reason behind low app downloads. Maybe a newbie cannot cope with the graphics, features, or offers of competitors; as a result, it does not get app installs. Users on finding minimal glitches, uninstall these apps as so many alternatives are already there.

9. Too Many Ads

While running the app, if users see too many ads that affect the app’s smooth usage, they will not rethink before uninstalling it. It is possible that they never turn up to this again. So, ads that block the UI are a direct hindrance in boosting app installs.

10. Black hat Practices

Unethical SEO practices, such as keyword stuffing or the use of misleading metadata, can significantly reduce an app’s ranking in app stores, and significantly affect its discoverability. So, users will not install the app at all. Therefore, it’s essential for you to prioritize ethical SEO strategies.

11. Marketing Gaps

The merchants need to put some effort and investment into making the app visible. A lack of proper marketing and promotion can also cause low app downloads too. Good promotion strategies through various channels can boost app visibility and increase app installs.
Before we get into the strategies to boost your app installs, let’s start with the essentials: a pre-launch checklist that sets the right foundation for strong and sustainable download growth.

Pre-Launch Checklist: How to Set Up for High App Downloads

These activities help you market your app effectively and boost downloads both during and after launch. Now, let’s walk through the essential pre-launch activities that set the stage for higher installs.

How to Increase App Installs: Top 10 Proven Strategies (Post-Launch)

Find proven ways to increase app downloads and installs in this segment.

1. App Store Optimization (ASO) Strategies That Boost Installs

You must optimize the app to increase its installs right from the place from where people download it. App Store Optimization or ASO can directly help you in getting more app downloads than before with a higher app-store ranking and a wider reach.

Also Read: 10 Best Tips To Implement Successful App Store Optimization

2. Build a Strong App Brand and Seamless User Experience (UX)

While app store optimization helps in better visibility on the app downloading platform, a better brand presence will grab the attention of your buyers on different platforms. A strong, consistent brand presence across platforms builds trust, while a smooth, intuitive UX keeps users engaged and reduces uninstall rates.

Also read: What E-commerce Brands Look for in a Mobile App Theme

3. Social Media & Influencer Funnels That Drive App Downloads

Social media and influencer marketing are powerful tools to expand your app’s reach and drive downloads. It can help you by securing higher views and organic traffic. Social media marketing also helps the app to stay trendy.

For excellent social media marketing, you can:

Also Read: How To Promote Your Mobile App On Social Media

Influencers have huge followers; so, once you collaborate with them and get their shoutouts, you can utilize their audience for your app. So, identify influencers who deal more with your target audience before collaborating.

For excellent influencer marketing, you can:

Also Read: How to Create a Successful Influencer Marketing Campaign for Your Mobile App

4. Leverage Reviews, Ratings & Social Proof for More Installs

Positive reviews, high ratings, and social proof are among the most influential factors that convince users to download your app. They not only build trust but also improve your app store ranking, making your app more discoverable.
Here’s how to leverage them effectively:

Also Read: Why User Reviews And Ratings Matter In Mobile App Marketing

5. Referral & Loyalty Programs to Grow Installs Organically

People trust recommendations from people they know and that makes referral programs one of the most organic and effective ways to grow your installs.

Here’s how to make your loyalty and referral programs work:

Also Read: How to Create a Personalized Customer Loyalty Program

6. Run Targeted Paid Ads and Smart Retargeting Campaigns

Use paid ads strategically to reach high-intent users and boost installs faster. Instead of spreading your budget everywhere, focus on targeted ads and smart retargeting—this ensures your app appears in front of people who are most likely to install it.

Here are the most effective options:

DropBox, Spotify, WordPress, Candy Crush, MailChimp, and many other companies have used the freemium model to make money. 

7. Use Content Marketing & SEO to Drive Organic App Downloads

Engaging content will always be a part of your game when your target is to increase app downloads. It will help improve your online presence, ranking, boost user engagement and ensure social shares. When paired with strong SEO practices, it helps your app get discovered by people actively searching for solutions like yours.

For this, you can use:

8. Engage Users with Email, Push & SMS Campaigns

SMS, push notifications and email marketing are some of the killer ways to boost app downloads and installation. It may take time to bring a result, but it can convince users for app downloads even after uninstalling it. So, showcase your offers with crisp content in emails to amplify app downloads and installs.

Some effective SMS and Email marketing strategies are:

Also Read: Push Notification Strategies To Uplift Mobile App Engagement Rate

9. Localize Your App for Global Growth and Regional Installs

Localizing makes your app friendly to your target market, so try to localize the content and listings. This will create reliability among the users and increase mobile app downloads and installs for you.

For localization use:

Also Read: Everything Shopify Merchants Need to Know Before Going Global

10. Track, Measure & Optimize Performance for Consistent Growth

Fast app loading speeds can significantly increase your app downloads and installs. You can use Firebase to reduce wait times, which leads to a better user experience and longer session durations. After implementing Firebase, track metrics like crash rate, retention rate, session length, and uninstall rate to monitor daily download performance.

Once you apply these strategies, it’s important to track their results. This will help you understand how your app is performing and how many downloads you’re gaining each day. With proper monitoring, you can continuously optimize performance and drive more installs.

Merchant FAQs: How to Increase App Installs and Boost Downloads

1. Why Are App Installs And Downloads Important?

App installs and downloads are crucial because they indicate the popularity and success of your mobile app. Higher numbers of installs can lead to increased user engagement and revenue.

2. What Are The Challenges In Increasing App Installs And Downloads?

Challenges in increasing app installs and downloads include strong competition, changing algorithms, poor app quality, and the presence of too many ads that can deter users.

3. What is the fastest way to increase app installs?

Running targeted ads and influencer funnels is the quickest way to increase app installs. Pair this with strong ASO to boost app downloads instantly.

4. How do I improve app visibility on Google Play/App Store?

Use app store optimization (ASO) with the right keywords, visuals, and descriptions. Better visibility automatically helps you get more app downloads.

5. Are paid ads still worth it in 2025?

Yes, paid ads remain one of the fastest ways to drive app downloads from high-intent users. They work even better when combined with organic strategies to boost mobile app installs.

6. Does ChatGPT/AI impact app installs or discovery?

AI helps optimize keywords, content, and user journeys to increase app installs naturally. It also improves targeting, which helps you get more downloads on your app.

7. What is a good install-to-retention ratio?

A 25–30% 30-day retention rate is considered healthy for mobile app downloads and installs. Higher retention means users find value and continue engaging with your app.

8. Does social media really help boost installs?

Yes, social media funnels, reels, and influencer shoutouts help drive app downloads. You can also expand your app’s reach and visibility. You can track followers, count social shares, upload trendy content, and use deep links to attract users.

9. How Can Influencer Marketing Help Increase App Installs?

Influencer marketing involves collaborating with influencers who have a large following. Their shoutouts can help you tap into their audience and boost app downloads.

10. What Role Does Content Marketing Play In Increasing App Downloads?

Content marketing, including images, reels, videos, blogging, and guest blogging, can improve your online presence and encourage social shares, ultimately leading to more app downloads.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, low app installs are simply a wake-up call—not a failure. With the right mobile app marketing strategy, clear value, and consistent optimization, you can turn slow downloads into steady, long-term growth. Focus on what your users truly need, and installs will naturally follow.