App downloads rise by 16% in the first half of 2016: Report

The daily app downloads in India have increased by large 16% in the first half of 2016. App downloads were especially high in January 2016, followed by March and June 2016, according to a 9Apps Trends report.

Among the type of apps Gaming seems to be gaining ground as downloads had increased nearly 20% this year from 17% in 2015. While non-gaming app downloads had decreased from 83% to 81% in the same period.

The gaming consumption patterns have become more diversified. Racing and action games, although still the most popular, now make up 43% of all game downloads (versus 53% in 2015), said the report. Simulation games are a new trending category, and account for 13% of all game downloads.

In the non-gaming apps, tools, social, media and entertainment remain the most popular categories for app downloads in India.

Ebrahim Popat, Country Manager, 9Apps says, “Tools make up about 23% of all app downloads; Social about 9%; Entertainment at 7% and music is over 4% of all non-gaming app downloads.”

“Interestingly, we also find that instead of Rating, Screenshot is the most important factor to attract potential app users. 46% respondents pick Screenshot when asked what affect their willingness to download a mobile game/app from an app store, while only 36% selected Rating. Apps that are better in localised promotion perform better in India” adds Popat.