Despite the extreme popularity of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s App Store, two-thirds of the mobile applications for the iPhone and iPad have never been downloaded. This piece of information comes from Adeven, a mobile analytics firm.
The over 400,000 apps on the App Store that have never been downloaded, these apps are often referred to as “Zombie Apps”. These apps are usually overlooked and have no ranking whatsoever. Apparently, those with money are able to pay to promote their applications.
Christian Henschel, chief executive officer for Adeven, places the blame on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). He said that since there is no real search on Apple, consumers are forced to download apps that are recommended by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). If an application isn’t in the top twenty-five, there is a pretty good chance that it may never be seen.
The App Store isn’t the only mobile application store that has this problem. Adeven also found that Google Play has the same problem, as they too promote certain apps over others.
This study isn’t the least bit surprising. It seems that companies with money are always favored over those without as much money or clout. In all fairness though, even if companies like Apple and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) promoted apps from lesser-known companies, that doesn’t guarantee that they would sell. People are more likely to buy or download apps from brands and companies that they know.
The best bet for small companies to get their apps out there is probably to do all the promoting themselves. If they contact popular app or tech bloggers and ask them to do a review, that might create an interest in their apps. Alternatively, companies can use their own websites or blogs to promote their apps on it, and send a link to their respective apps. It’s possible to increase the number of downloads if you have a sales plan in action that works.
