Apps That Do THIS Get 3x More Installs

If you're wondering what separates apps that crush installs in the US App Store from the rest, you're not alone. Apps that get 3x more installs do one thing consistently: they align their metadata to real search data and track daily so they can correct course fast. This post breaks down what "this" is and how to replicate it.

TL;DR — They use Apple Search Ads–backed popularity and Top 10 difficulty to pick high-intent, winnable keywords; they put the best in title and subtitle; they track daily. Stellar gives you that data and tracking for the US store—so you can play the same game.

Table of contents

• What "THIS" Actually Is
• Why It Drives Installs
• The Three Habits
• How to Do It in the US
• What Most Apps Skip
• Next Steps

What "THIS" Actually Is

THIS is a simple loop:

1. Data — You know which keywords have real search volume (popularity from Apple Search Ads) and which you can rank for (Top 10 difficulty) in the US.
2. Alignment — You put your best 1–2 high-intent, winnable terms in title and subtitle. Readable, not stuffed.
3. Tracking — You watch rankings and historical graphs daily so you know what's working and what's slipping.

Apps that get 3x more installs run this loop every week, not once a year. They don't guess—they use data. They don't set and forget—they track. Stellar gives you the data and tracking in one place for the US and 60+ stores—so you can run the same loop.

Why It Drives Installs

Installs in the US App Store flow from impressions → clicks → installs. When your metadata matches what people search, you get more impressions. When you rank for high-intent, winnable terms, you get more relevant clicks. When you track daily, you fix drops before they cost you. So the loop doesn't just "help a bit"—it systematically improves the top of the funnel. That's why apps that do this get 3x more installs; they're not leaving visibility on the table.

The Three Habits

| Habit | What it does | |-------|----------------| | Use real search data | Popularity + difficulty so you target the right keywords in the US. | | Align title and subtitle | Best 1–2 keywords in the first 30 characters and subtitle. Readable. | | Track daily | Rankings and historical graphs so you know what's working. |

Without all three, you're optimizing in the dark. With all three, you're playing the same game as the top installers. Try Stellar to get data and tracking in one subscription—unlimited keywords, fixed annual plan, works in the US and 60+ stores.

How to Do It in the US

1. List seed keywords — From your app's features, benefits, reviews, and competitor keywords. US phrasing matters.
2. Get popularity and difficulty — Use a tool that shows Apple Search Ads popularity and Top 10 difficulty for the US store. Stellar gives you unlimited keywords and fixed pricing.
3. Pick your top 1–2 — High volume + achievable difficulty. Put them in title and subtitle; keep it readable.
4. Set up daily tracking — Add your app and key keywords. Use rankings and historical graphs to see movement. Stellar gives you daily updates and history for the US and 60+ stores.
5. Review weekly — When something drops, adjust. When something rises, double down. Revisit your keyword list and metadata every few months.

What Most Apps Skip

Most apps skip tracking. They set metadata once and hope. Apps that get 3x more installs don't hope—they measure. Daily rankings and historical graphs tell you exactly which changes drove installs and which didn't. So you're not guessing; you're iterating. Stellar gives you that visibility so you're not skipping the habit that separates top installers from the rest.

Next Steps

1. Audit your current loop — Do you have popularity and difficulty for the US? Do you track daily? If not, Stellar gives you both.
2. Lock the three habits — Data, alignment, tracking. Run the loop every week.
3. Iterate — Use rankings and graphs to guide your next change. Repeat.

Apps that do this get 3x more installs because they're not guessing—they're using data and tracking. Stellar gives you both so you can play the same game in the US store.