To tie in with their 25 billionth app download (made by Chunli Fu of Qingdao, China), Apple have released the top 25 rankings for their paid and free apps within the UK iTunes App Store. Some interesting (and in some cases unexpected) things have emerged.
Data below is correct as of March 6th. Where apps are universal (ie they can be downloaded on both iPhones/iPods and iPads), I have included their reviews and rating within the iPhone charts as iPad cannot be split out (and the disparity in installed bases means it is safe to assume that the majority of actions relate to iPhones). Apple don’t release download figures, but news stories such as this one can help establish some benchmarks for estimates.
Click the images or open them in a new tab in order to make them more legible.
So what can we tell from these charts?
- Games dominate the paid-for charts: 42 of the 50 paid apps are games, but it doesn’t dominate the free charts to the same extent – although people pay for games, they are transitory and can be superseded by sequels or alternatives – unlike information-based apps
- Games are much better at encouraging ratings/reviews: Games have three times as many reviews/ratings as non-games: Demographics might play a factor (younger game players being more likely to rate) but many games also prompt people within apps to give reviews or ratings, as positive reviews are a major factor in deciding which app to download
- It helps to be early: Despite ever-increasing user bases, only 4 of the top 50 iPhone apps were released after 2010. Getting in early, and reaping the benefits of large numbers of reviews and ratings, provides a strong profile even among newer users
- Time sensitivity on iPhone is key: Nearly all of the top iPhone apps (outside of games/entertainment) are either time sensitive or impulse – social networks, news, weather, search etc.
- Three of the top 4 iPad apps are TV catch-up services, and another four of the top apps are news services. The tablet is living up to its reputation for lean-back media consumption
- But can the iPad also cater to business needs? A quarter of the top Paid apps (including the number one app) are productivity or education based. This suggests the affluent, business-orientated user base are experimenting with using their iPads to replace other devices. Will this experimentation turn into habit?
Filed under: mobile, tablets | Tagged: app downloads, App Store, apple, ipad, iphone, ITunes Store, mobile, tablets |
Curiously Persistent 
I believe apps will will be used more than internet in a very short time. Much easier and time efficent. I wonder if there is a better way to gather reviews and opinions that the pop-up questions in the apps?
All opinions are great?
I totally agree that the number of reviews are influenced by demographics…I haven’t ever reviewed an app, and I don’t really plan on doing so. Young people on the other hand seem a bit better at and more open to voicing their opinions on these types of things!
Amazing that Angry Birds is still at the top of the list, even though it’s been out for a couple of years(?) now. One would figure that the novelty would have worn off at some point. It is a great game though.