Upgrading App Intelligence Data

Starting September 1, 2026, Similarweb is upgrading the underlying data powering App Intelligence across iOS and Android. This release enhances Store Downloads, Active Users, and Sessions with higher estimation accuracy, expanded app coverage, and global market parity.

Key Improvements at a Glance

1. 29% Higher Accuracy: Validated against first-party data, ensuring estimated volumes and market trends align closer to real-world outcomes.
2. 10X Broader App Coverage: Up to 10x more apps tracked, so you can monitor significantly more apps across key performance metrics.
3. Full Engagement Coverage: Active Users and Sessions now cover all 58 supported markets across both stores (adding iOS engagement in 41 markets and Android in 13).
4. 3–5x Daily Data Stability: Continuous daily historical data (present on ≥95% of days over the trailing 6 months) for 3 to 5 times more top apps.

Metrics Affected by the Upgrade

Primary Metrics (Available September 1, 2026)

• Store Downloads: Daily, Weekly, and Monthly download estimates; total and average monthly figures.

• Active Users: Daily (DAU), Weekly (WAU), and Monthly (MAU) Active Users, plus Daily Stickiness.
• Sessions: Avg. Sessions per User, Avg. Session Time per User, Avg. Total Time per User, Total Sessions Count, and Total Sessions Time across Daily, Weekly, and Monthly granularities.

Downstream Metrics and Impact (Rolling out Mid-September 2026)

• Audience Insights (Demographics & Affinity)
• App Revenue
• Unified iOS & Android View

Active Users & Sessions Market Coverage

While Store Downloads were already available across all 58 supported markets, this release adds missing engagement metrics (Active Users and Sessions) across both app stores: 

What Powered This Upgrade?

Three changes came together for this release:

• Expanded Data Foundation: Powered by an enlarged global contributory network. 
• Advanced Machine Learning: Multi-source ML models deliver precise scale estimations and market signals. 
• Modern App Market Calibration: Recalibrated to reflect evolving app usage patterns and expanding app store catalogs.

How to Switch Between Datasets

From September 1, 2026 to January 10, 2027, legacy and Data 2.0 datasets will run concurrently to allow side-by-side performance evaluation.

• App Intelligence Platform: Data 2.0 is enabled by default. To view legacy data, set the Data 2.0 toggle in the top-right corner to OFF (Note: Toggle support for Audience Insights and Revenue will activate mid-September).

• REST API:
  Data 2.0 is enabled by default. To request legacy data, pass the parameter:  data_version = apps_legacy_v1.
• Batch API:
  Legacy data remains the default until full deprecation. To request Data 2.0, pass the parameter data_version = apps_beta_v2026-07.

Rollout Timeline

FAQs

1. What changed, and why now? 
   App market behaviors and catalog scales have shifted significantly. We updated our global data foundation and machine learning algorithms to deliver the most accurate engagement and download estimations available.
    
2. Does this affect my historical data?

Yes. The upgraded model recalculates 37 months of historical data to ensure consistent, apples-to-apples historical benchmarking alongside current metrics.

3. Does this affect my previous reports?
   Yes, for the better. The upgrade recalculates 37 months of historical data using the new model, meaning past figures will update to reflect higher accuracy. You will also be able to gain access to previously unavailable data, such as Active Users and Sessions across more markets, up to 10x more tracked apps, and fuller daily history.
    
4. Can I trust the new data?
   Absolutely. The upgraded data is validated against direct first-party data, delivering a 29% improvement in overall estimation accuracy.
    
5. Where can I see the updated App Intelligence data?
   The upgraded data is available in both the platform and the API for Store Downloads, Active Users, and Sessions.
    
6. Do I need to take action to receive the upgraded data?
   Generally, no. Starting September 1, Data 2.0 is automatically applied to the Platform and REST API. However, if you use the Batch API, legacy data remains the default, so you will need to pass the data_version parameter to request Data 2.0.
    
7. How do I switch between the upgraded and current data?
   From September 1, the upgraded data is your default view on the Platform and API REST. Through January 10, 2027, you can switch between datasets:

• Platform: Use the Data 2.0 toggle in the upper right corner.
• API REST: Data 2.0 is your default. Use parameter [data_version = apps_legacy_v1] to call the current dataset.
• API Batch: The current dataset is still your default. Use parameter data_version = apps_beta_v2026-07 to call the upgraded dataset.

8. What happens to legacy data after January 10, 2027? 
   On January 10, 2027, legacy datasets will be retired. If you need access to historical point-in-time snapshots after this date, your account team can provide them upon request.
    
9. What should I do next? 
   Explore the new data volumes and trends, market and store coverage and granular daily trends. Reach out to your Similarweb account manager if you would like custom guidance during your evaluation.