Sensor Tower: Q3 2023 App Store Report

Instagram consolidated its dominance as the world's most popular app in the third quarter of 2023. Threads, which was founded in July 2023, quickly climbed into the top five in the same quarter. Shopping app Temu has seen rapid month-on-month growth in downloads since its launch, continuing to lead the US and European markets.

Unveiling Threads : The rising star in social media

In the crowded world of social media, new entrant Threads made a splashy entrance when it was released in July 2023 and quickly rose to become the fifth most downloaded app worldwide in Q3 2023. It set a staggering record of nearly 40 million installs worldwide on its launch day, proving that it immediately resonated with users seeking a fresh social media experience.

What makes Threads unique is its remarkable growth trajectory, which has been driven primarily by India, where the app has quickly gained popularity and contributed a large portion of its global downloads. While Threads has seen huge success in regions such as the United States and Asia, its momentum has slowed in Europe, where it ranked seventh among the most downloaded apps in the same quarter.

Download slump for gaming giants

Download trends for the top publishers shifted significantly in the third quarter of 2023. While Meta and Google continue to dominate globally, the gaming space presented a contrasting picture with major players experiencing negative quarterly download growth, indicating a shift in user stickiness and preferences.

Downloads for the major players in the gaming space declined, with Azur Interactive taking a notable hit, down 19% quarter-over-quarter. This decline reflects broader trends affecting game publishers. Embracer Group saw a 9% drop in downloads, dropping from ninth to 11th place. These negative trends point to challenges facing existing gaming entities, indicating a possible shift in user interest or market saturation.