5 Smart Ways to Drive Organic Installs for Your Android & iOS Apps

Learn the 5 powerful ways that will supercharge your organic installs and help your app rise to the top in the crowded app market.
2025-01-21

5 Smart Ways to Drive Organic Installs for Your Android & iOS Apps
With over 2,103,310 apps on Google Play and 1,896,888 apps on the Apple App Store as of January 21, 2025, the competition to capture user attention is fiercer than ever. Standing out in this vast sea of apps requires more than just visibility—it demands trust, credibility, and a solid growth strategy.

Organic installs are the cornerstone of building this trust, offering both users and app stores a compelling reason to prioritize your app. But this isn’t about choosing organic over paid traffic; it’s about leveraging both to their fullest potential. In this article, we’ll dive into five powerful ways to boost organic installs for your Android and iOS apps, ensuring your app not only survives but thrives in this competitive landscape. Let’s dive in!

 

1.ASO for Boosting Organic App Installs

What is ASO?

App Store Optimization (ASO) is the mobile equivalent of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). While SEO focuses on optimizing websites for better visibility on search engines, ASO does the same for your app on app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store.ASO is not a quick-fix strategy—it’s a long-term approach to building visibility and driving organic traffic to your app. By optimizing your app’s presence in the store, you make it easier for potential users to find and download it when they search or browse within the store. This, in turn, leads to an increase in organic installs and app downloads.

Why is ASO Important?

When users search for an app, they typically choose from the top results. Therefore, improving your app’s visibility in the app store search rankings is crucial. ASO directly influences where your app ranks in search results, giving it a greater chance of being discovered.At the core of ASO lies the use of relevant keywords. Selecting the right keywords ensures your app appears in the relevant search queries. Using irrelevant or incorrect keywords can hurt your app’s ranking or, even worse, prevent your app from showing up at all. If your app is optimized for keywords that don’t align with what users are searching for, it’s essentially invisible to potential users.

Keyword Relevance:

Choosing the wrong keywords for your app is nearly as detrimental as not having any keywords at all. Users won’t download your app if it’s irrelevant to their needs. In both the iOS App Store and Google Play, where millions of apps compete for attention, having the right keywords is essential to standing out.The ultimate goal of ASO is to increase your app’s downloads, which will, in turn, make it easier for users to find it. Apps with higher download numbers naturally rank better and have a higher chance of being discovered by new users.

The Impact of ASO on Download Rates:

 Studies show that a significant portion of app store visitors use the search bar to find apps, and the results they click on are often from the top-ranked apps. Here’s a snapshot of how ASO can drive organic installs:

 ● 70% of visitors to the App Store use search to find apps.

 ● 65% of downloads occur directly after a search on the App Store.

 ● Apple Search Ads boast a 50% average conversion rate.

By optimizing your app for the right keywords and improving its visibility, you can significantly increase your organic installs and achieve long-term growth.

 

 

2.Asking Users for App Reviews and Ratings

The Power of Reviews and Ratings

App reviews and ratings are crucial to driving organic downloads and installs. Positive reviews, especially 5-star ratings, help build trust and create a favorable impression, encouraging new users to download your app. The better your ratings, the more likely users are to trust your app, making it an essential factor in your app's success.

The Challenge of Gathering Reviews

However, acquiring reviews and ratings is often one of the most challenging aspects of app growth. Constantly asking users to rate your app can lead to annoyance, which might result in uninstalls. To strike a balance, it’s essential to ask for reviews at the right time and with the right frequency.

Timing is Everything

A strategic approach is key. For instance, consider prompting users to rate your app after they’ve had a positive experience, such as after they’ve used the app for a few minutes or after completing a key action. Don’t overwhelm them by asking for feedback too frequently—space out the reminders to avoid frustration.

A Practical Tip for Reminders

One effective strategy is to prompt users after every update, once they’ve engaged with the app for a while. You can set up a pop-up call-to-action (CTA) offering users three options:

 ● Rate Now

 ● Remind Me Later

 ● No, Thanks

This gentle reminder should be timed carefully to ensure that users are happy with the experience they’ve had, making them more inclined to leave a positive review.

When to Ask for Reviews

 ● The best time to request a rating is when users reach a positive milestone in the app, such as after making a purchase or unlocking a new achievement. For example:If your app is a Music Listing App, you might ask users to rate it after they’ve subscribed or made a purchase.

 ● If your app is a Gaming App, prompt users to review it after they’ve made an in-game purchase, unlocked an achievement, or completed a challenging level. Games like PUBG Mobile utilize this strategy effectively, requesting feedback after a successful transaction or achievement unlock.

Boosting Reviews and Ratings

If you're still struggling to garner enough reviews or looking to give your ratings a boost, consider exploring additional methods. You can leverage external review services or even incentivize reviews to get more positive feedback. By increasing your ratings, you’ll enhance your app’s reputation and, in turn, see a rise in organic installs.

Luckily, FoxAdvert is here for you. With our expertise in data-driven marketing strategies, we help you optimize every step of the review and ratings process. By carefully timing your review requests and ensuring a positive user experience, you can unlock the full potential of app ratings to increase your app’s visibility and credibility.

 

3.Is It Really Important to Have Social Media Accounts for Your App?

Harnessing the Power of Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is a crucial strategy in mobile app promotion. It plays a significant role in enhancing brand awareness, driving engagement, and ultimately boosting app installs.Let's take a look at the latest data:

The Global Population

The world’s population has reached 8.2 billion people, with 5.2 billion people online. This means there’s a massive online audience waiting to be reached.

How Many Social Media Accounts Does One Person Have?

On average, individuals have around 7.6 social media accounts. This highlights how deeply integrated social media is into daily life, and the vast opportunities it presents for app promotion.

How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media?

People spend an average of 142 minutes per day on social media platforms. This is prime time for engaging potential users and expanding your app’s reach.

With these statistics in mind, it's clear that social media is one of the largest and most effective platforms for promoting your app. To maximize visibility, it’s essential to have active social media accounts for your app. This helps to spark conversations, increase brand exposure, and ultimately drive more downloads.

Popular Social Media Platforms for Your App

 ● Facebook

 ● Instagram

 ● Twitter

 ● YouTube

 ● TikTok

 ● Snapchat

 ● Rednote

 And more…

By maintaining a strong presence across these platforms, you can significantly enhance your app’s chances of being discovered and downloaded.

 

4.Encourage People to Share Your App

The Power of Sharing to Drive Traffic

One of the most effective ways to increase traffic to your app is by encouraging sharing. It's simple, yet highly impactful, and can lead to a significant boost in installs. Start by asking your friends and family to share your app with their networks—this can create a ripple effect that brings in new users.

Rewarding Users for Sharing

Take sharing to the next level by offering incentives. Reward users who share your app or invite their friends to download it. Offering cash or other rewards can motivate users to spread the word, turning them into active promoters of your app.

Creating a Win-Win Scenario

This approach benefits both you and your users. As the app owner, you gain more downloads, while those who share your app are rewarded for their efforts. You can also encourage users to leave positive reviews and ratings after they share, further enhancing your app’s reputation.In short, sharing not only helps you gain visibility but also builds a loyal base of users who are invested in your app’s success.

 

5.Harness the Power of User-Generated Content to Build Authentic Connections

Nothing resonates more with potential users than authentic stories shared by real people. User-generated content (UGC) is not just a marketing trend—it’s a trust-building powerhouse. When users share their genuine experiences with your app, whether through social media posts, reviews, or creative content, it humanizes your brand and drives organic installs naturally.But how do you inspire users to create content? Start by embedding shareable moments directly into your app experience. Gamify the process with in-app rewards for sharing achievements, create branded hashtags to amplify visibility, or run creative challenges that encourage users to showcase how your app fits into their lives. These strategies turn satisfied users into passionate advocates.

Additionally, celebrate and feature the best UGC on your own platforms. Showcasing your users’ creativity makes them feel valued and motivates others to join the conversation. This ripple effect not only extends your reach but creates a sense of community around your app—one of the most valuable drivers of sustained organic growth.

With UGC, you’re not just growing installs; you’re building trust and loyalty that lasts.

 

Final Word

The journey to organic growth isn't about quick fixes—it's about smart, consistent efforts that build your app’s reputation and visibility. With ASO, reviews, social media, user sharing, and influencer power in your corner, you’re not just playing the game; you’re changing the rules. To take it even further, FoxAdvert’s data-driven solutions are here to fine-tune your strategy and maximize your app’s potential.

Don’t just wait for success—create it, and watch your app rise to the top!

Kaka Vanet
ASO Expert
Kaka focuses on boosting app visibility and ensuring apps stand out in a competitive marketplace. Outside of work, Kaka is a gadget enthusiast and a member of a jazz band, offering a creative touch to app store optimization insights.