# ASO Monthly #104: Apple Enforcing Trader Status, Epic Games Store, Featuring Slots Disappearing, New Badge For VPN Apps, New Google Play UI and More! - Link: https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/ - Published: 2025-02-07T14:59:09+01:00 - Author: Talha Mumtaz ![](https://phiture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3-lines-1-1024x561.png)   Welcome to this month’s edition of ASO Monthly, where we bring you the most crucial developments in App Store Optimization. This regular update covers algorithm changes, emerging trends, insights into conversion rate optimization, essential tool updates, and everything important from the world of the app stores! 📬 Sign up to our email list and never miss future ASO Monthly editions!   ---   ## Subscribe to the ASO Monthly Newsletter Get the latest ASO updates straight to your inbox, once a month.   ---   **_Note From the Editor_** Before we get into this month’s content, we would like to extend a huge shoutout to Talha. In case you didn’t know — Talha manages to consistently curate the ASO Monthly every single month, while also driving incredible impact for Phiture’s clients in his role as a Growth Manager. Business of Apps recently interviewed Talha as part of their App Leaders series — a well deserved recognition! You can read the full interview with Talha on Business of Apps’ website [here](https://www.businessofapps.com/app-leaders/talha-mumtaz). [[     January 16 ## Apple to Enforce Trader Verification in the EU Starting February 17, Apple will comply with the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by removing apps from the EU App Store if developers do not declare their trader status. A trader is defined as any person or entity distributing apps for commercial purposes. Developers classified as traders must provide contact information( address, phone number, and email) on their App Store product pages.   January 23 ## Epic Games Expands Its Alternative Mobile App Store Epic Games has announced an expansion of its alternative mobile app store, adding 19 new third-party games for Android globally and 16 for iOS in the EU. This initiative, part of Epic’s broader effort to challenge the dominance of Apple and Google app stores, aims to provide developers and users with more competitive options. Notable new additions include free games like _Bloons TD 6_ and _Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee_.   January 28 ## Google Play Store: Temporary Bug Disrupts Promotional Content Submissions A glitch reported on January 28 temporarily caused promotional content slots to disappear when developers were setting up new events. Multiple accounts were affected, but the issue was resolved within 24 hours.   [[   January 29 ## VPN Apps Receive Verification Badges on Google Play Google Play has introduced verification badges for VPN apps to enhance transparency and trust. To earn this badge, VPN apps must: * Complete the Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) Level 2 validation. * Have at least 10,000 installs and 250 user reviews. * Be available on Google Play for at least 90 days. * Provide clear information on data collection practices and participate in independent security reviews. This initiative aims to help users identify secure and trustworthy VPN services.   [[ Source: [Android Developers Blog](https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/01/helping-users-find-trusted-apps-on-google-play.html)     January 30 ## Google Play Store Enhances Store Listing UI For Games Google Play has revamped its store listing UI, putting more emphasis on app titles over icons and incorporating auto-playing videos in the header. These changes, currently limited to gaming apps, are expected to improve user engagement and conversion rates. This update was announced during the Google Playtime event, where Phiture was among the first to learn about the change and proactively prepared clients to optimize their app titles and listings in advance.   [[     ## Interesting Reads/Listens/Watches [Top ASO Tips & Best Practices for 2025, brought to you by ASO Experts](https://www.apptweak.com/en/aso-blog/app-store-optimization-aso-best-practices) | AppTweak [What are Custom Store Listings in Google Play and How Do They Work?](https://appradar.com/blog/what-are-custom-store-listings-in-google-play) | AppRadar [Your Comprehensive Guide to Ratings & Reviews in 2025](https://appfollow.io/blog/ratings-and-reviews) | AppFollow [App Uninstall Report – 2025 edition](https://www.appsflyer.com/resources/reports/app-uninstall-benchmarks/) | AppsFlyer   ## Tool Updates [AppTweak is now an Apple Search Ads Partner](https://www.apptweak.com/en/aso-blog/apple-search-ads-partner)   ## ASO With Phiture’s Experts If you’re planning your ASO strategy for 2025, beyond keyword planning, in-app events, and conversion optimization, make sure to focus on often-overlooked areas such as ratings prompts, responding to reviews, leveraging Search Custom Store Listings, using Apple Search Ads to support ASO, optimizing app size, testing Google Play Instant, cultural localization (culturalization), App Packs, and using “What’s New” updates to engage users. _— Talha Mumtaz, Growth Manager_ Table of Contents * [Subscribe to the ASO Monthly Newsletter](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#subscribe_to_the_aso_monthly_newsletter) * [Apple to Enforce Trader Verification in the EU](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#apple_to_enforce_trader_verification_in_the_eu) * [Epic Games Expands Its Alternative Mobile App Store](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#epic_games_expands_its_alternative_mobile_app_store) * [Google Play Store: Temporary Bug Disrupts Promotional Content Submissions](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#google_play_store_temporary_bug_disrupts_promotional_content_submissions) * [VPN Apps Receive Verification Badges on Google Play](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#vpn_apps_receive_verification_badges_on_google_play) * [Google Play Store Enhances Store Listing UI For Games](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#google_play_store_enhances_store_listing_ui_for_games) * [Interesting Reads/Listens/Watches](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#interesting_readslistenswatches) * [Tool Updates](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#tool_updates) * [ASO With Phiture’s Experts](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-104-apple-enforcing-trader-status-epic-games-store-featuring-slots-disappearing-new-badge-for-vpn-apps-new-google-play-ui-and-more/#aso_with_phitures_experts)