Animoca's simple plan to significantly increase the visibility of top apps on-device

Could one small change to the way app stores work on-device significantly improve the discoverability of apps and games?

Content publisher Animoca reckons the answer's yes.

As detailed on its blog, its simple plan is that app store charts hide the rankings of games that users have already downloaded.

Got, got...

The argument is that with only limited visibility - typically five titles are listed on-device - if you've already downloaded Angry Birds and Doodle Jump, you're only seeing three new games. Removing those already experienced titles, increases the potential inventory by 40 percent.

"Both the Google and Apple store systems can tell which apps are installed on a specific user account/device, so it should be possible to personalise the rankings lists by hiding the redundant apps," it points out.

"The rankings lists would in effect show the top lists of apps that are not installed on this user's device."

The change wouldn't even have to be hardwired as users could toggle between 'hide' or 'show installed apps' settings.

"Platform providers and publishers will benefit from the download of more apps and associated revenue, while users will enjoy a better user experience," Animoca points out.

[source: Animoca blog]