When a keyword drops, the first question is why, because the fix depends on the answer. If the whole category reshuffled, your listing may be fine and the store simply changed what it shows. If one competitor moved above you, it's worth looking at what that competitor changed. Your AI assistant can compare your positions before and after the drop with live search results and tell you which one it was. In this article, you'll learn how to ask for this diagnosis and how to act on each result.
Overview
When you ask about a drop, your assistant returns:
- Your tracked position for the keyword before the drop and now, side by side
- The live search results as they stand today, so you can see exactly who moved into the slots above you
- Your category rank on both dates
- A clear answer: a category-wide reshuffle, or one competitor overtaking you
This is a read-only request. Nothing in your account changes.
The two causes
| Cause | What it looks like | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Category-wide reshuffle | Many apps moved at once, or new apps entered the top results | Watch the keyword for a few days before changing your metadata. The store may have changed what it shows for the term. |
| One competitor overtook you | A single app moved above you while the rest stayed put | Look at what that app changed recently, such as its title, subtitle, a new release, or a jump in ratings. |
How to ask
Once AppFollow MCP is connected to your AI assistant, you can ask in plain language. For example:
We dropped on 'photo editor' this week. Did the whole category move or did we lose to someone specific?More things to ask
- "Compare our tracked positions today vs 14 days ago for US iPhone, and list every keyword that lost more than 5 places."
- "Which tracked keywords gained the most this month, and which of those carry the highest popularity scores?"
- "What's our category rank in Photo & Video in the US today vs a month ago?"
- "For the five keywords we lost most on, show me who's ranking above us now."
💡 Haven't connected yet? See AppFollow MCP and AI Toolkit for setup steps for each supported client.
F.A.Q.
Why doesn't today's live result match my tracked position?
Tracked positions are daily snapshots, while live search results show the store as it is right now. Store results can shift several times a day, so small differences are normal.
The keyword disappeared from my rankings completely. What does that mean?
Your app no longer ranks for it within the positions AppFollow tracks. The keyword stays on your list and shows as unranked. Ask the assistant to check the live results to see who took the spot.
Can I check more than one keyword at a time?
Yes. Ask for your biggest drops over a period, and the assistant will diagnose them one by one.