How to Get Your First 100 Installs on Google Play
Policy-safe ways for indie developers to reach the first 100 Google Play installs: your testers, your network, communities, content and your listing.
Short answer
Start with people who already know the app: your closed testers, friends and audience. Then post where your users gather (with each community’s rules), publish one useful piece of content around the problem your app solves, and make the store listing clear enough that visitors install. Avoid paid installs and incentivised reviews.
1. Your testers
The 15-20 people from your closed test already use the app. Ask them to keep it, tell one friend, and leave an honest review if they like it. Never offer rewards for reviews: Google Play prohibits incentivised ratings.
2. Your own network
A personal message beats a broadcast. Send it to people who actually have the problem your app solves, with a direct Play link and one sentence on why you built it.
3. Communities
| Where | How |
|---|---|
| Niche subreddits and forums | Share the story and what you learned, follow self-promo rules |
| Indie launch sites | One-day launches drive a spike of curious installs |
| Local groups | Great for local apps |
| Discord servers in your niche | Participate first, share later |
4. Content that ranks
Write one genuinely useful article or short video about the problem (not the app), for example “how to stick to a habit when you work night shifts”, and mention your app where it truly helps. This keeps bringing installs long after launch day.
5. A listing that converts
Visitors decide in seconds:
- Screenshot 1 shows the main benefit (see graphics).
- The short description says what it does and for whom (see description).
- Your first reviews reply to every comment.
6. Measure
Play Console shows store listing visitors, conversion and acquisition sources. Change one thing at a time and give it a week.
What to avoid
- Buying installs or reviews.
- Spamming communities.
- Keyword-stuffing the title.
These can get your app penalised or removed. See launch-day checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Do ads help get the first installs?
Paid campaigns can work but cost money. Most indie developers get their first 100 from their network, communities and content.
Does the number of installs affect ranking?
Google Play considers many signals, including quality and engagement. Installs from interested users who keep the app are what you want.
How long does it take to reach 100 installs?
It depends on your audience and niche. Some apps get there in days, others take weeks.
Sources and how we keep this accurate
Policy facts are checked against Google's own documentation on the date shown above. Google can change requirements at any time, so confirm in your Play Console. Where we give advice or estimates rather than Google's rules, we say so. TestersZone is independent and not affiliated with Google. Drafts are AI-assisted and reviewed by our team.
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