page.title=Build Buzz
page.image=/distribute/images/build-buzz.jpg
page.metaDescription=Generate interest and demand for your app. Here are some ways to help users find, download, and install your apps.
page.tags="users, growth, promotion"
@jd:body
<div class="figure">
<img src="{@docRoot}distribute/images/build-buzz.jpg">
</div>
<p>
With more apps published each week in Google Play, building buzz
around your own apps helps them get noticed and makes it easier for
users to find and download them.
</p>
<p>
Building buzz doesn’t have a single formula. The tools and techniques
described here have worked for other developers, but finding the right mix
will depend on your apps, your audience, and your competition. And don’t be
afraid to try something different or quirky, taking a risk could pay big
dividends.
</p>
<h2 id="link-to-your-apps">
Link to Your Apps in Google Play
</h2>
</div>
<p>
After publishing your apps, you can take Android users directly to your
app/games detail page on Google Play by <a href=
"{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html">providing links</a> in your
social network posts, ad campaigns, app reviews and articles, your website,
and more.
</p>
<p>
You can also link to:
</p>
<ul>
<li>A <a href=
"{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html#OpeningPublisher">list</a>
of all of your apps
</li>
<li>A Google Play <a href=
"{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html#PerformingSearch">search
result</a>
</li>
<li>A <a href=
"{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/linking.html#OpeningCollection">collection</a>
on Google Play
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="use-the-google-play-badge">
Use the Google Play Badge
</h2>
</div>
<div class="figure" style="margin:0 3em;">
<img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-build-buzz-uplift-1.png">
</div>
<p>
<a href="{@docRoot}distribute/tools/promote/badges.html">Google Play
badges</a> are an especially great way let Android users know that your apps
are available and link them directly to your Google Play page. Users are more
likely to download and trust your apps and games when the Google Play badge
is used.
</p>
<p>Badge your
websites, collateral, and ad campaigns. With the badge generator, they're
also easy to make and available in multiple languages.
</p>
<div class="headerLine" style="clear:both">
<h2 id="cross-promote-from-your-other-apps">
Cross-Promote from Your Other Apps
</h2>
</div>
<div class="figure-right">
<img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-buzz-1.jpg">
<p class="img-caption">
Cross-promoting related apps.
</p>
</div>
<p>
Cross promoting, or house ads, is a great cost effective way to get users to
try out new titles. Be sure that your house ad is unobtrusive and presented
at a time convenient for users to leave your apps and try out your new title.
Also, be sure to include logic that allows users to dismiss the ad and
control if they will be asked again later.
</p>
<p>
Consider using free AdMob <a href=
"https://support.google.com/admob/v2/answer/3210452?hl=en#subid=us-en-et-dac">
house ads</a> within your apps to create awareness and promote your entire
portfolio of apps. When launching new apps, an easy way to quickly attract
users is to promote directly to your existing customers.
</p>
<div class="headerLine">
<h2 id="hold-a-contest">
Hold a Contest
</h2>
</div>
<p>
Contests can be a great way to engage your users. If you have a game, hold a
tournament and promote it through your marketing channels. Use Google Play
Games APIs for leaderboards and achievements to stimulate competition. Some
app developers have provided prizes for creative uses of an app or social
engagement. For example, a photo app developer can hold a photo contest.
</p>
<p>
But be sure you’re complying with the appropriate legal requirements in your
country and provide a clear set of terms and conditions, accessible online.
Don’t let a lack of attention to detail spoil a great marketing opportunity.
</p>
<div class="headerLine">
<h2 id="leverage-pr">
Leverage PR
</h2>
</div>
<p>
Public Relations outreach can be a valuable marketing initiative. Many
developers use PR to announce new features in their apps or games, which, in
turn, builds demand for the updated release when it comes out. You can also
provide early copies of your app or game for the press to review, and publish
their reviews when the app or game launches.
</p>
<div class="headerLine">
<h2 id="use-social-media">
Use Social Media
</h2>
</div>
<p>
Social media is your opportunity to build promotion for your apps. Start with
your own channels: update users on your plans before launch, announce your
launch, and talk about progress after launch (downloads, new features, and
alike.) Then expand by encouraging your users to forward and share your
posts.
</p>
<p>
Take advantage of bloggers. Look for bloggers that cover Android and learn
what interest them. Remember to look locally as well as globally, gaining a
local following can be a great springboard to global success. When you’ve
selected a target group of bloggers focus on them by sending details of your
apps and free versions if the apps are priced. Follow up and ask them to
review your apps. A review on the right blog is a great promotion.
</p>
<div class="headerLine">
<h2 id="publish-youtube-videos">
Publish YouTube Videos
</h2>
</div>
<div class="center-img" style="padding-top:1em;">
<img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-build-buzz-yt.png">
</div>
<p>
YouTube videos are now an essential part of building buzz. Use them to
showcase your apps’ feature. Remember to do this before, at, and after
launch. Taking users on a journey through the development of your apps can be
a great way to drive downloads at launch.
</p>
<div class="headerLine">
<h2 id="advertise">
Advertise
</h2>
</div>
<div class="figure">
<img src="{@docRoot}images/google/gps-ads.png" style="width:340px">
</div>
<p>
Advertise your app in other apps to increase downloads. There are many tools
to help you target the right users for your apps and games. You can use
<a href=
"http://www.google.com/ads/admob/promote.html#subid=us-en-et-dac">AdMob</a>
to drive installs of your app at a target cost-per-acquisition (CPA). You
also get free house ads for your own app. <a href=
"https://apps.admob.com/admob/signup?subid=us-en-et-dac&_adc=ww-ww-et-admob2&hl=en">
Sign up for an AdMob account</a> to get started.
</p>
<div class="headerLine" style="clear:both">
<h2 id="maximize-your-marketing-spend">
Maximize your Marketing Spend
</h2>
</div>
<div class="figure" style="margin: 0 3em;">
<img src="{@docRoot}images/gp-build-buzz-uplift-2.png" style="">
</div>
<p>
Maximize buzz and leverage the halo effect of cross-platform, multimedia,
simultaneous launches.
</p>
<p><strong>Developers who launch on multiple platforms at
the same time have received a 10-20% uplift.</strong>If you’re spending money
to advertise your launch or spending effort on press, shipping on multiple
platforms simultaneously helps you maximize your return on investment.
</p>
<div class="headerLine" style="clear:both">
<h2 id="related-resources">
Related Resources
</h2>
</div>
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