Spying for Nemo in the Appstore’s Oceans — a story of narrow data filters development
Tags: android, appdevelopment, mobile, analytics
Published: 2022-12-19 08:59:22

Sometimes, in the huge flow of incoming raw data, app developers have to find valuable insights that may not be obvious, or may be hidden or even removed. The question is where and how to find and systematize these insights?

We are developing an easy-to-use App market intelligence toolset for Android and iOS, including a plethora of filters for performing both simple and complex tasks. At the initial stages of the service's development, [AppstoreSpy](https://appstorespy.com/?utm_source=dev2&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=filters) had several of the most basic and necessary filters, including category, revenue, and installs. But over time, taking into account customer feedback, our team has developed and released such filters as daily installs, complex queries, charts, and removed apps. As a result of using these types of filters, customers began to extend their subscriptions because of the customized solutions. 

AppstoreSpy’s filters for Advanced search vary by usage and context. Here we’ll look into 5 of the most relevant and interesting of them:

- Complex query
- Removed apps
- IN-app and Has-ad
- Country and Charts
- Similar

## Complex query 



![Complex query helps find hidden or specific information](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/y7z7zgdn9y9heygnr644.png)
This filter is used in advanced search and helps find hidden or specific information. Using special characters, explained in the tooltip, you can enter a search query that will exclude or add the right words. The benefit of using such a filter is for those who are searching for specific niches that are not searched for by the usual keywords, e.g., crypto or gambling apps.

## Removed apps 



![Look through history of deleted apps for the last 5 years](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/quihn7fg6y7c63di686h.png)

![Look through history of deleted apps for the last 5 years](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pskli27w6xpycyq99zyc.png)
This filter has a history of deleted apps for the last 5 years. So, you can search for not only released apps but also for removed ones. The benefit of using this type of filter is that removed apps may contain useful information about screens, app structure, UX/UI ideas, dynamics of app usage in different countries, or competitors’ activity. 



## In-app and Has-ad purchases 


![In-app and Has-ad is a group of purchase filters that help you learn more about specific apps](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/itet9tyr7063d04u8a97.png)
In-app and Has-ad is a group of purchase filters that help you learn more about specific apps. In-app helps show if there are any purchases of goods and services from inside an app. Has-ad displays the presence or absence of any paid advertisements in the app. These filters will help draw conclusions about different ways competitors monetize their products.

## Country and Charts


![The filter for active countries has information on whether a certain app group](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/65fu2xoql3a8rpd8hpim.png)
The filter for active countries has information on whether a certain app group, especially in Market Explorer, is active or not in a particular country. Chart country, chart collection, and chart category show top charts in a selected country and app category. 

## Similar 

![Search for apps that are similar to the one you selected](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gtpj97sfsbc57phquxxr.png)
Using this filter, you can search for apps that are similar to the one you selected, as well as users who have your selected app in their similar ones. Similar, by the way, is a very good filter when you want to assess a competitive field. But you have to be careful because this filter is available only on Google Play.


A combination of simple and complex [filters](https://appstorespy.com/?utm_source=dev2&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=filters) will significantly expand the search field, giving app developers the opportunity to explore refreshing and relevant insights in any type of niche, including microniches.