??Find and Eliminate Fake and Unauthorized Mobile Apps: Pro Tips for Brand Protectors

There are so many mobile app download sites out there right now it’s mind-boggling. Especially since most developers want to control which versions of their apps are available, and which platforms they are available on. The hundreds of sites that offer unauthorized and counterfeit app downloads have put a significant burden on organizations to hunt them down and regain control. These fakes can seriously harm a brand's reputation and place users at risk. Here’s an action plan to sniff out these impostors:

1. Keep watch on the Big 2 app stores: Regularly (daily) comb through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for your app name and derivatives. While these platforms generally stay clean, a rogue app here could do serious damage. Vigilance pays off. You can automate some of this by leveraging the app store search capabilities, which are accessible via API through 3rd party SERP vendors.

2. Global search: Use search engines to do some work for you. Run regular searches for your business’s mobile app download. Look closely at listings for sites that offer APK downloads (rather than the ones that just point to Google or Apple). Try similar names too. Don’t be surprised if you find dozens of unauthorized listings.

3. Reverse image hunt: Tap into Google’s reverse image search to see if your app’s visuals are being duplicated across the web. If you publish screenshots of your app, those are a great place to start. Try logo-based searches too, which are especially helpful if your apps have their own logo.

4. Setup alerts: Let Google give you some help by setting alerts for your app’s name. It’ll deliver you app mentions and potentially unmask unauthorized downloads.

5. Educate users: Use your digital channels to coach customers on where they should go to download your app. Informed users are your frontline defense.

6. Regional reconnaissance: Beyond the mainstays which you’ll pick up in your regular searches, look out for regional app stores that may not appear near the top of search results. Oftentimes the mobile app download sites offer their own search - use it!

7. Automate with web scrapers: Consider web scraping tools to scale your surveillance efforts and swiftly pinpoint potential fakes.

8. Forge alliances: Cultivate relationships with app store support. If they’re aware of your brand, they can aid in the early detection of frauds and fakes. In general, most download sites will remove your content if you ask them to (under DMCA they are required to do so).

9. Prepare countermeasures: Upon discovering a fake or unauthorized download, report it to the app store with compelling evidence of copyright infringement. Include screenshots of your legit app and copyright notices. It's best to develop a template in advance to ensure the consistency of your submissions.

10. Note the latest changes in the legal landscape. As courts open the doors more to 3rd party app stores, this headache is only going to get bigger: https://alluresecurity.com/2023/02/22/apple-allowing-alternative-app-stores-on-iphones-will-complicate-online-brand-protection/

A brand protection service can identify and eliminate these counterfeit threats. That’s where Allure Security steps in.

- We cover nearly 100% of global and regional app stores, constantly searching them to identify unauthorized downloads related to your brand.

- We use advanced artificial intelligence to identify which app downloads require the most pressing response.

- Our team works to rapidly dismantle fraudulent or simply unauthorized listings.

Drop your experiences, concerns, or questions below ??