Google Play Feature Graphic

Nowadays, promoting your app in Google Play Store is exceptionally challenging. You have to go against hundreds and even thousands of mobile apps in your niche. Thankfully, there are different ways for you to gain a competitive edge over other apps, and one of them is the use of Google Play feature graphics.

Before you can take advantage of the feature graphics in Google Play, you need to understand what it is and how to use it. That’s precisely what you will learn in this post. Read on and discover the power of Google Play feature graphics.

What is Google Play Feature Graphic?

The Google Play Feature Graphic is a large banner-like image that appears on your app listing page. The feature graphic provides a significant opportunity to make a lasting first impression on your potential users.

When the feature graphic was made available in the Play Store, it was initially placed on top of your app store listing. However, the app listing page was redesigned, so now, Play Store displays feature graphics before your screenshots.

The feature graphic can be a specific image that you upload. However, if you have an app promo video, Play Store will use your YouTube thumbnail, and you will then see a play button overlaid on top of the feature graphic. Users can then tap or click on the play button to watch your app video.

According to Google, your feature graphic should meet the following technical requirements:

• JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha)
• Dimensions: 1024px by 500px

Why is Google Play Feature Graphic important?

The Feature Graphic can have a direct influence on your app’s visibility, downloads, and user engagement. As you can imagine, the feature graphic is among the first things your users would see. In fact, before they can see your screenshots, the feature graphic would first appear.

With this in mind, here are some of the compelling reasons Feature graphics are essential:

1. Feature graphics give users a quick overview of what your app is all about.
2. Feature graphics can grab people’s attention and provide a solid first impression.
3. Feature graphics encourage users to download your app by outshining competitors.
4. The Play Store considers your feature graphic when determining how relevant your app is for a user’s search.?
5. Feature graphics help improve your brand.
6. Having a feature graphic gives you a chance to get a spot in Play Store’s feature section. Without a feature graphic, Play Store won’t consider you to be part of their list of featured apps.
7. The Play Store displays feature graphics in other areas of the platform. These include the “Recommended” section and the Ads section. Users also see feature graphics when doing a brand search.

As you can see, feature graphics create a marketing opportunity that could lead to higher user impressions and engagement.

What is the role of feature graphics in ASO?

App Store Optimization (ASO) is the process of improving or optimizing your app’s listing to increase visibility and rank on app stores. Since feature graphics are not required in the Play Store, you might think that they are not that important. In reality, feature graphics are super important.

Feature graphics are not just essential in helping users know what your app is all about, but they can actually improve your ASO and, therefore, increase your app ranking.

Read more at ShyftUp's article.