What is an install?

The process of downloading and configuring an application on a smartphone, computer, or tablet. Depending on the app specifications and the destination device, the installation steps may vary. After installation, the software is available to be used by the user.

Installing (or to install) is the act of downloading a piece of software onto a device. In context of mobile apps, this can only be accomplished through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. As a mobile app company, app installs will all be seen as direct or organic unless you use a web to app attribution provider to determine the sources from which the app install came. Strategies like device probabilistic modeling can be used to determine the source of these users before the land on the app store.

These days, it’s possible to acquire new users at scale from app installs across more platforms than ever before. For instance, you can acquire mobile users through email, offer a text-me-the-app feature for your desktop users, build a referral mobile app strategy to acquire new users, and even convert web traffic into app installs with our Journeys smart banners.

10 Tactics To Drive Higher Mobile App Installs in 2023

We analyzed 20+ brands across verticals and how they are using deep linking across their mix of marketing campaigns. We identified some common patterns, interesting data-backed best practices, and unique use cases that you could replicate. Here are 10 tactics to drive mobile app downloads while engaging customers and delivering brand value in competitive markets. 

Mobile App Onboarding: Best Practices

Getting downloads is so much easier than retaining users. This is why mobile app onboarding is so important. Onboarding is the process of introducing users to your app and guiding them through its features and functionality. Done right, it can help increase user engagement, drive revenue, and improve retention.