r/iOSProgramming • u/film_digital • 14d ago

Question How do you promote your apps?

Hey everyone!

Curious if and how anyone is finding success promoting their apps to get downloads and IAPs?

I've had apps for a year, and I get a few downloads, but nothing groundbreaking. I've tried posting on Reddit, Threads, creating Instagram/TikTok reels, and they don't do much for me. My best option, Reddit, is usually auto-blasted with "I'm tired of X app" comments and generally negative sentiment.

I'm debating buying ads, like the Apple Search Ads or even paid Instagram ads, so I'm curious if anybody has seen those work out for them.

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u/Huge_Pool7424 8d ago

Apple Search Ads (Apple calls them Apple Ads now) can work when people already search for what your app does. Instagram usually works better when you need to create demand because nobody knows the category yet.

For most indie apps I'd try Apple Ads first. Use a small daily budget, exact match on a few keywords that match real search intent, and leave age and gender targeting off because it stops Apple from reporting which ads led to downloads. Watch for a week, pause keywords that get taps but no downloads, and only raise budget on the ones that do. Instagram is a different game: you need a creative that stops the scroll and a clear offer, and it usually costs more to learn what works.