Did you know 26% of Users Delete Apps Before Using Them, Here’s Why

Developers around the world do whatever they can to get users to install and download their apps, but what could possibly lead these users to deleting these apps before too long? It might seem like a lack of relevant content or some other technical issues might be at play, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, the actual answer appears to be a fair bit more innocuous.

Data suggests that 26% of users delete apps without having used them in the first place. Figuring out the mechanism that leads to this behavior can be crucial because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up determining how users can be kept onboard for the foreseeable future. 73% of the consumers that eventually decided to delete the app did so within just the first week, or two at the very most. Furthermore, a majority of consumers or 57% to be precise, only used the app one or two times before deleting it.

One thing that bears mentioning is that the single biggest cause for people deleting apps from their phone was so that they could free up some storage space. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that developers need to make sure that their app provides enough value within the first couple of uses. This will ensure that their own app does not fall under the axe whenever users are running low on storage space.

However, this is not the only factor that is leading users to delete apps in large quantities. 30% said that they are seeing too many in-app ads, which reveals a serious crisis in how these apps are being managed. Apps need to be able to rake in as much revenue as possible, and packing advertising into the interface can sometimes seem like the only way to go about doing that.

Of course, it’s not just too many ads or a lack of importance in storage space that can make users abandon an app not long after downloading it. 25% of people that responded to a survey stated that they deleted an app because it failed to meet their expectations, which just goes to show that developers need to hit the ground running after each and every download.

Another major contributing factor here is that some apps just aren’t made to a very high standard of quality. 19% complained that apps that they deleted were giving them an imperfect, glitchy or even broken experience which obviously wouldn’t be conducive to them wanting to keep the app around in the long run.

Interestingly enough, a lack of value or entertainment and irrelevant ads were not all that high up this list, receiving just 16% and 14% respectively. Also, just 18% of users replaced the app they deleted with a new app, which indicates that they are not finding anything better. All in all, it appears that cracking the code to engaging users within their first few sessions can prevent developers from having to deal with apps getting deleted prior to becoming essential to users in various areas.

 H/T: The Mobile Consumer 2023: Give and Get Come Into Focus via AirShip