The pandemic has had a significant impact on millions of people worldwide and the global economy, online and offline businesses. The mobile app industry has also changed: the balance of power in this highly competitive market has shifted. The processes taking place now will determine its development for years to come.
The coronavirus has led to the stagnation of applications in some categories, while others, on the contrary, experienced phenomenal growth. At the same time, innovations and new trends appear, allowing the latter to push the boundaries and the former to get new chances in the struggle.
We’ve rounded up the most notable mobile app market trends developers should consider in 2022.
The growth of mobile commerce
When shopping malls ceased operation during the coronavirus pandemic, people increasingly began to use mobile phones to shop. The number of app installs for buying groceries has grown sharply in 2020 by 200% at once. This trend will continue for a long time.
Voice control, machine learning, and AI
According to Apple, people unlock their smartphones about 80 times a day. It is clear that users touch them much more often during the day, and millions of bacteria live on mobile phones. Given the current situation with the coronavirus, users try not to touch their smartphones as often.
This is why voice control on devices is becoming increasingly popular, and the introduction of voice search can help in user engagement and ASO.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning infiltrated the mobile app industry many years ago. So far, however, we have only scratched the surface of the potential of these advanced technologies. The use of AI can go far beyond simple examples like hair coloring or object finding. Plus, both Apple and Google put a lot of effort into making machine learning technology easier to develop. This means that in 2022 we will see more examples of the introduction of AI into applications.
Mobile ad engagement is on the rise amid the pandemic
The mobile app market as a whole is showing unprecedented growth during the pandemic. And while publishers can spend less on ads thanks to the influx of organic search traffic, engagement with mobile ads is also on the rise. Mobile ad engagement rates rose 15% in 2020. This is why both in-app ads and ads in app stores (such as Apple Search Ads in the App Store) remain effective.
Mobile games are growing at an incredible pace
Mobile games hit a record for most downloads in 2020. Games are an affordable and easy way to satisfy your need for entertainment. Therefore, it is not surprising that many people preferred them for stress relief and entertainment during periods of severe isolation. This trend will continue in 2021-2022.
Remote work apps are changing offices and education
Another trail left by the coronavirus is the closure of offices. Companies are rethinking the importance of office work, allowing their employees to work remotely for as long as they want.
While working from home is becoming the new normal, people are looking for solutions to work remotely and communicate with colleagues online. The pandemic has revolutionized work-from-home apps, so downloads have more than doubled. The trend is expected to continue.
Another real boom happened in the Education category. Many universities and other educational institutions have temporarily closed their doors. Therefore, both students and teachers turned their attention to mobile applications for distance learning. Mobile educational apps promote flexibility and continuity of the learning process and become part of the distance education toolbox.
Health and fitness apps
Today, all people are worried about their health. This means they need apps for health care, mental health control, stress relief, mindfulness, and meditation education, various fitness apps, and physical activity trackers. Many mobile publishers adapt their products to new user needs and offer home workout programs, online fitness programs with personal trainers, and more.
Entertainment, social networks, photo, and video applications
In addition to mobile games, entertainment apps have also seen unprecedented growth, helping people to feel part of society and relieve boredom. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and others have become even more popular in app stores. Social media is experiencing a surge in popularity. In the context of social distancing, they allowed users to connect with friends, family, and colleagues, post content, and share what really matters to them.
2021 is not the limit
The pandemic will not end overnight, and the changes it brought about will remain with us for a long time. It is important to understand trends, apply them to your products and provide users with what meets their requests and needs.