ASO news digest for March 2026
Apple introduced an additional ad slot in App Store search, Google started displaying battery usage warning labels and launched the new short-form video format Play Shorts. All the key ASO updates from March — in our latest digest.
App Store News
Additional ad slot in App Store search
Starting March 3, Apple introduced an additional ad slot in App Store search results.
The top of the search results now looks like this:
- 1st position — ad;
- 2nd position — organic;
- 3rd position — ad.
Apple has also been testing a new ad design without the blue background since the beginning of the year — making it harder for users to distinguish ads from organic search results.
Google Play News
Battery usage warning label introduced in Google Play
Starting March 1, Google began displaying warnings on app listing pages for apps that excessively drain battery.
If an app exceeds the Excessive Partial Wake Locks threshold, users will see a label stating: “This app may use more battery than expected…”.
The warning is displayed directly on the app’s listing page and may impact users’ install decisions.
Additionally, apps with this label may lose visibility in Google Play recommendations.
Play Shorts: short-form video format launched in Google Play
Google introduced a new content format in the store — Play Shorts.
It’s a vertical, TikTok-style feed of short videos where users can preview apps and instantly proceed to install them.
Play Shorts appear directly in Google Play (within the Apps tab) and allow users to:
- see how an app works before installing;
- quickly swipe through videos;
- install an app in one tap.
Google positions this format as an alternative to text descriptions — meaning video content can now play a key role in conversion.
The feature is gradually rolling out in the US locale.
