ASO news digest for January 2026
Apple tested a new ad display format in App Store search and introduced additional ad placements, Google Play rolled out the “Save for later” feature for releases and a submission counter for LiveOps featuring requests, while Asodesk launched a new support program to help mobile startups grow. All the key ASO updates for January — in our latest digest.
App Store News
New Ad Display Format in App Store Search
Apple has started testing a new ad format in App Store search: the light blue background that previously distinguished ads from organic results has been removed. Now, promoted apps look almost identical to organic listings.
This could be bad news for apps that rely solely on organic traffic — ad conversion rates may increase, potentially leading to a drop in installs from organic search results.
Additional Ad Placements in Search Results
Apple has confirmed that starting in March 2026, the App Store search results will feature more than one ad placement. Ads will appear not only in the top position but also in multiple spots within the organic results.
The new system will launch on March 3 in the UK and Japan, and will gradually roll out to all Apple Ads regions within a month.
Google Play News
LiveOps Featuring Request Counter
Google Play Console has introduced a featuring request counter in the LiveOps section. Developers can now track how many times they’ve submitted events for featuring on Google Play’s storefront.
“Save for Later” Feature for Submitting Changes
Google has added a new deferred submission feature to Play Console — “Save for later.”
Previously, all changes in Play Console were bundled into a single submission for review. If some updates weren’t ready, the entire release process could be delayed.
Now, developers can postpone selected changes and submit only the finalized updates for review — allowing faster releases of critical updates without delays caused by unrelated edits.
Asodesk News
Launch of Asodesk for Startups Program
Asodesk has launched a specialized program for startups, aimed at helping early-stage products scale the growth of their apps across the App Store, Google Play, RuStore, AppGallery, and Galaxy Store with minimal costs.
The program is available to all startups with a monthly recurring revenue (MRR) of no more than $20k.
Why do you need Asodesk for Startups?
- For sustainable growth without unnecessary costs;
- For onboarding and support at every stage;
- For automating routine processes;
- For acquiring early users and collecting feedback.
What will you get with Asodesk for Startups?
- ASO tools for organic growth;
- Onboarding and ongoing platform support;
- Automation of routine processes;
- Up to 80% savings on ASO, review management, and marketing tools.
How to Join the program:
You can apply on our website — our team will review your case, offer personalized conditions, and help you join the program.
