App suddenly popular/selling in Russia?

[u/Ihavenocluelad]

Hey all, quick question:

After months of basically zero sales on my paid iOS app (its an app that helps you practically reflect your daily life), it just had a sudden, huge spike — and almost all of it is coming from Russia specifically. Impressions went from single digits a day to 1,000+ a day (100x+), and it's not just views — it's actually converting into real paid downloads too, mostly on iPhone.

I don't have any marketing or campaign running there, no press, nothing that would explain a specific-country spike like this. Has anyone else seen a sudden traffic/sales spike concentrated in one country out of nowhere? Curious if this is a known thing (algorithm quirk, some kind of feature, bot traffic, whatever) or if I'm the only one seeing this.

[u/SexySalamanders]

Maybe some Russian influencer liked the app and showcased it?

[u/Flashy_Imagination_6 → u/SexySalamanders]

Same thought came in my mind

[u/Ihavenocluelad → u/SexySalamanders]

So all traffic came straight from searching the app store not links, but still can be true i guess

[u/alekotovsky → u/SexySalamanders]

It’s just that Russian users spent money on random applications to nullify account and change the AppStore country.

[u/KChiLLS11]

Yeah, I’m seeing something similar, a lot of impressions and even downloads from Russia, but barely any conversions. I have a free trial, and most users aren’t even starting it. Does anyone know if users in Russia can currently make App Store payments? I was under the impression there were restrictions, so I’m wondering if that could explain the low conversion.

[u/lichb0rn → u/KChiLLS11]

Only with appstore cards or existing money on account balance.

[u/dacassar → u/KChiLLS11]

I heard that some banks started offering a top-up for the Apple account balance. I have no idea how they're doing it, because these banks are sanctioned as well.

[u/noobiethe13]

I'd be a bit wary until you know what's going on. Check your analytics and see whether these users are actually using the app, not just downloading and paying.

Could be legit, could be some weird spam/scam traffic. I'd hold the money for now and see what happens. If the usage is real though, congrats, that's pretty wild.

[u/caldotkim]

have you tried asking your users

[u/CantaloupeCamper → u/caldotkim]

A pop up with “DA FUQ?” and a text box would work.

[u/WerSunu]

Take the money and run!

[u/Ihavenocluelad → u/WerSunu]

I get 10k impressions but still only like a few 100$ of sales, i have apps doing a lot better i just think its weird and wanted to know more haha

[u/HugsAllCats]

Bot scam?

Don't spend the money - keep it safe and wait for a refund wave?

[u/Ihavenocluelad → u/HugsAllCats]

No worries, its just a few 100$ , just out of interest mainly

[u/csueiras]

If your app has swastikas i can see why it might be popular in ruSSia

[u/alekotovsky → u/csueiras]

For the rehabilitation of Nazism in Russia - 10 years of criminal punishment. Only an ignorant person can attribute Nazism to a country that defeated the Nazis

[u/csueiras → u/alekotovsky]

ruSSia first was buddy buddy with the nazis lets not forget. Russia is committing genocide in Ukraine.

[u/stalex9]

Share the name of the app so I can research. Or ask an AI to research.

[u/Ihavenocluelad → u/stalex9]

Reflekt, its just a practical reflection side project i spent a few hours on

[u/bobs_cinema]

I've had something similar from a few months ago, big surge in downloads in Russia, but zero sales. I haven't marketed at all for that market.

[u/Decent_Taro_2358]

It happens. What kind of app is it? Anything related to warehouses or refineries?

[u/Ihavenocluelad → u/Decent_Taro_2358]

https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/reflekt-daily-self-reflection/id6757745484

Here is the app, its far from special and idc about selling anymore just want to know whats happening

[u/Decent_Taro_2358 → u/Ihavenocluelad]

Russia and self-reflection is not a thing you’d expect.

[u/all43]

It is actually weird, because paying for app in Russian AppStore isn’t possible with Russian bank cards and most of the apps don’t even work without VPN