01 / AUDIENCEMeasure the iOS opportunity
Connected population is a ceiling for internet reach, not an iPhone audience. Check country-level downloads, product-page views and paying users in App Store Connect.
Mobile web OS share can give direction, but it is not installed devices or paying users.
Check mobile OS traffic share ↗02 / PRODUCT FITLocalize the buying decision
Prioritize the store listing, screenshots, paywall and onboarding in the market’s language. Group countries by language only after checking purchasing power and product fit.
Compare competitor price, reviews and positioning in each storefront. Do not extrapolate one category’s results to another.
03 / ECONOMICSOptimize proceeds per install
Track conversion, refunds, retention and net proceeds by country and acquisition channel. A lower price only wins if conversion and retention compensate.
Break-even acquisition cost = net lifetime proceeds per acquired user. Give cohorts enough time to mature before scaling.
04 / EXPERIMENTStart with a small market portfolio
Choose one established market, one similar market with lower localization effort, and one larger price-sensitive market. Define budget and success criteria before testing.
Do not rank ad markets from GDP alone: competition and customer acquisition cost can reverse the outcome.
What subscription research adds
RevenueCat’s 2026 sample reports median day-60 App Store revenue per install of $0.65 in North America and $0.15 in India / Southeast Asia. These are sample-wide regional benchmarks, not country forecasts or paid-app benchmarks. Category, app quality and acquisition mix matter.
Read the report and its methodology ↗Reference checked September 25, 2026. Annual report; review when a new edition is published.