# ASO Monthly #82: Major UI Changes in Play Store, App Store Rating Adjustments, Beta Version of Privacy Sandbox, and more!

- Link: https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/
- Published: 2023-03-01T10:32:36+01:00
- Author: Ritwik Arya and Ramazan Tugay Kahraman

![](https://phiture.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ASO-Monthly_82-1024x561.jpg)

This month’s edition of ASO Monthly 2023 outlines the most relevant February developments
in the world of ASO. Here, we shed light on trends in App Store Optimization, algorithm
changes, insights into conversion rate optimization, and tool updates.

This update was prepared by Senior ASO Strategist, [Ritwik Arya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritwik-arya/),
and [Ramazan Tugay Kahraman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramazan-tugay-kahraman-8212b880/),
Senior ASO Keyword & Metadata Specialist at Phiture. 

 

Table of Contents

 * [February 1 – App Referrer bug in App Store Connect](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_1_%e2%80%93_app_referrer_bug_in_app_store_connect)
 * [February 1 – US Government calls for changes to Apple and Google](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_1_%e2%80%93_us_government_calls_for_changes_to_apple_and_google)
 * [February 6 –  Bing and Google step up their game in the AI space](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_6_%e2%80%93_bing_and_google_step_up_their_game_in_the_ai_space)
 * [February 7 – Mozilla is preparing for Apple’s possible policy change.](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_7_%e2%80%93_mozilla_is_preparing_for_apples_possible_policy_change)
 * [February 10 – Apple adjusts ratings for major apps](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_10_%e2%80%93_apple_adjusts_ratings_for_major_apps)
 * [February 13 – Beta version of the Privacy Sandbox on Android released](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_13_%e2%80%93_beta_version_of_the_privacy_sandbox_on_android_released)
 * [February 16 – Change in the appearance of ads in the Google Play Store](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_16_%e2%80%93_change_in_the_appearance_of_ads_in_the_google_play_store)
 * [February 18 – Live Events in Google Play search results](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_18_%e2%80%93_live_events_in_google_play_search_results)
 * [February 19 – Redesigned Recommended Apps in Google Play search results](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#february_19_%e2%80%93_redesigned_recommended_apps_in_google_play_search_results)
 * [Upcoming Events](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#upcoming_events)
 * [Tool Updates](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#tool_updates)
 * [Interesting Reads](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#interesting_reads)
 * [Phiture Academy ](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#phiture_academy)
 * [Before you go](https://phiture.com/asostack/aso-monthly-82-ui-changes-in-play-store-app-store-ratings/#before_you_go)

## **February 1 – App Referrer bug in App Store Connect**

[Tal Sharabi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-sharabi-a3a495108/), from [the ASO Stack community,](https://phiture.com/aso-stack-slack-community/)
noticed a bug in the App Referrer data. Namely, filtering downloads by App Referrer
resulted in seeing fewer downloads. On the other hand, filtering by Source Type 
has shown more downloads coming from the App Referrer. Importantly, this bug may
have been the cause of an anomaly in App Referrer data on App Store Connect in January
and February. However it can be overcome by trying out a few different filters. 

We highly recommend joining the ASO Stack Community to stay abreast of such bugs.

 

## **February 1 – US Government calls for changes to Apple and Google**

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration of the US Department
of Commerce released the outcomes of President Biden’s 2021 [Executive Order on Competition](https://ntia.gov/sites/default/files/publications/mobileappecosystemreport.pdf).

The report cites two key results claiming that the existing strategies of Apple 
and Google have the potential to hurt consumers by increasing costs and restricting
innovation. It goes on to say that consumers usually can’t get apps outside the 
app stores controlled by Apple and Google. This means innovators have very limited
avenues for reaching consumers.

It goes on to offer several  recommendations to help foster more competition in 
the sector, including:

 * Consumers should have more control over their devices. They should be able to
   choose their own apps as defaults, use alternative mobile app stores, and delete
   or hide pre-installed apps.
 * App store operators should not be able to “self-preference” their apps in an 
   anti-competitive manner. In other words, operators should not be able to favor
   their own apps in how they appear in search results or discriminate against other
   apps that are similar to their own.
 * Limits on in-app purchasing options should be addressed by banning requirements
   that developers use the app store operators’ in-app payment system.

## **February 6 –  Bing and Google step up their game in the AI space**

In February, we heard announcements that are likely to become discussion topics 
in the coming years. After the success of ChatGPT, Microsoft added AI support to
the Bing search engine. Immediately after this, Google introduced its technology
called Bard, which can be considered a competitor of ChatGPT.

After the announcements made by Microsoft and Google, the search volumes of many
AI-related keywords, especially ChatGPT, increased.

App publishers may consider optimizing their metadata based on AI-related keywords,
as more and more apps are integrating AI functionality into their apps.

## **February 7 – Mozilla is preparing for Apple’s possible policy change.**

Mozilla is working on a non-WebKit version of Firefox for iOS to anticipate changes
to Apple’s platform rules, The Register [reports](https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/07/mozilla_google_apple_webkit/).
Apple’s ‌App Store‌ rules insist that browser apps on iOS and iPadOS must use its
own WebKit browser engine. Mozilla is working on an update that does not comply 
with this policy, as seen in the code in the latest Firefox update.

In a statement emailed to The Register, a Mozilla spokesperson said that they abide
by Apple’s iOS app store policies and are simply undertaking exploratory work to
understand the technical challenges for Gecko-based browsers on iOS if those policies
were to change. The spokesperson goes on to say that they hope the day will come
when people can freely decide to use the browser of their choice, including the 
opportunity to select the engine that underpins it.

Apple has yet to comment on the policy change. But developers, who already have 
Browser apps, can prepare for the possible policy change now.

## **February 10 – Apple adjusts ratings for major apps**

Apple adjusted their ratings in February, en masse. The sweep has mostly affected
larger apps, which saw a number of changed ratings. As [AppFigures’ study](https://appfigures.com/resources/insights/20230210?f=1)
shows, some of the app ratings have been removed to prevent fake ratings from appearing
on the store.

If you saw big changes in your rating numbers in February, this might be a direct
consequence of these changes by Apple.

 

## **February 13 – ****Beta version of the Privacy Sandbox on Android released**

Google has started rolling out the Beta version of [the Privacy Sandbox on Android](https://developer.android.com/design-for-safety/privacy-sandbox).
The Privacy Sandbox APIs will replace Advertising IDs, which were previously the
cornerstone of personalized ads and ad measurement. And it will be sunset by 2024.

As [Aliaksandra Lamachenka](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliaksandralamachenka/?originalSubdomain=uk)
of the Flo team noticed, the Google Privacy Sandbox will include significant changes.
In an official [statement](https://blog.google/products/android/introducing-privacy-sandbox-android/),
Google further elaborated upon the reasons, noting that 90% of current apps on Google
Play are free and provide access to valuable content and services for billions of
users. Digital advertising plays a key role in making this possible. But in order
to ensure a healthy app ecosystem — one that benefits users, developers and businesses—
the industry must continue to evolve how digital advertising works to improve user
privacy. That’s why Google originally developed advertising ID to give users more
control. Last year they introduced improvements to these controls, but they believe
it’s important to go further.

For that reason, Google has announced a multi-year initiative to build the Privacy
Sandbox on Android with the goal of introducing new, more private advertising solutions.
More specifically, these solutions will limit sharing of user data with third parties
and operate without cross-app identifiers, including advertising ID. Google is also
exploring technologies that reduce the potential for covert data collection, including
safer ways for apps to integrate with advertising SDKs.

## **February 16 – Change in the appearance of ads in the Google Play Store**

Google has changed the appearance of ads in the search results,  with the aim of
making the ads more visible. The new ad image is designed similarly to the branded
search results. Working on targeting Google Play with Google Ads, ultimately Google
aims to get more ad conversions from this increased visibility.

## 

## **February 18 – Live Events in Google Play search results**

The visibility of Live Events on the Google Play Store continues to increase. Adding
the Live Events between the categories before, Google has changed the search results.
Live Events are shown under the Limited-time events after any game-related download.
In the example below, you can see how results of Limited-time events start appearing
after downloading Twitch.

## 

## **February 19 – Redesigned Recommended Apps in Google Play search results**

Users can now simply tap on the drop-down menu beside each recommended result to
see the screenshots, promo video, offers, and metadata. Promo videos and offers 
appear before the screenshots. This option will increase the chances of users installing
the app without visiting the store listing. It could also reduce scrolling through
other apps with no screenshots. Sometimes, the Recommendation section does not appear
when you search for generic keywords. In fact, a few recommendations were unrelated
to the actual search term.

 

## 

## **Upcoming Events**

[MWC Barcelona](https://www.mwcbarcelona.com/) – Onsite – 27 February – 2 March

[App Promotion Summit London](https://apppromotionsummit.com/london/) – Onsite –
March 23

[Appraise Conference](https://appriseconf.com/) – Onsite – March 23

[App Growth Summit New York](https://appgrowthsummit.com/events/app-growth-summit-nyc-2023/)–
Onsite – March 30

You can check out [our full list of Mobile Growth conferences](https://phiture.com/mobilegrowthstack/mobile-apps-and-games-conferences-and-events-list-2023/)
to attend here!

## **Tool Updates**

ASO Desk: [Keyword Explorer 2.0: history of metrics, dual search results, analysis by country](https://asodesk.com/blog/keyword-explorer-2-0-history-of-metrics-dual-search-results-analysis-by-country/)

## **Interesting Reads**

[What are Android App Bundles, and how can they improve your ASO strategy?](https://phiture.com/asostack/what-are-android-app-bundles/)
| Phiture

[Phiture Forecasts: ASO Trends and Developments in AI, CPPs, and Third Party App Stores](https://phiture.com/asostack/phiture-forecasts-aso-trends-and-developments-in-ai-cpps-and-third-party-app-stores/)
| Phiture

[Learnings Gained from Reverse Engineering the App Stores](https://www.apptweak.com/en/aso-blog/learnings-gained-from-reverse-engineering-the-app-stores)
| AppTweak

[Top Most Common App Store Optimization Mistakes](https://appbooster.com/en/blog/top-most-common-aso-mistakes/)
| Appbooster

[How to analyze the correlation between Apple Search Ads keywords bidding and organic keywords rankings?](https://appradar.com/blog/correlation-between-keywords-bidding-and-organic-keywords-rankings)
| Appradar

 

## **Phiture Academy **

[Take a look at the new Advanced ASO course.](https://academy.phiture.com/) Designed
for organizations trying to build ASO capacity, or individuals looking to work in
ASO. By the end of the course, individuals should have the knowledge and ASO skills
required to create, implement, and continuously improve an advanced strategy on 
the app stores. 

 

## **Before you go**

Ensuring timely measurement of key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential for
ASO practitioners. However, in some instances, the unavailability of data on platforms
can pose a significant challenge. Therefore, while measuring first-party data for
Apple devices, it is recommended to keep an eye on [Apple System Status](https://developer.apple.com/system-status/),
including any ongoing issues with App Store Connect. This approach can prove to 
be useful in addressing potential reporting obstacles arising from the platform.