Wanted to share something in case it helps other developers, since I went in assuming “if IAP works technically, it’ll convert.”
I built and published an app with an in-app purchase tied to a real benefit (premium feature unlock). The IAP setup itself worked fine and passed Amazon’s review without issues. The app got a decent number of downloads.
But the purchase conversion was $0. Not low — zero.
Still trying to figure out why, but my early guesses are:
Maybe the premium feature wasn’t communicated clearly enough in the app itself
Maybe price point or timing of the prompt was off
Maybe Amazon Appstore users behave differently around IAP than I expected
Has anyone else had downloads but no IAP conversion? What ended up working for you — was it changing what you offered, when you asked, or something else entirely?
Would genuinely appreciate hearing how others approached this.
Here are some best practices and resources from our side that may help:
Common reasons for low/zero IAP conversion:
Value proposition visibility - Users need to experience the benefit before being asked to pay. Consider offering a limited preview of the premium feature so users understand what they’re unlocking.
Prompt timing - Asking too early (before the user is engaged) or too late (after they’ve lost interest) both hurt conversion. Many successful apps prompt after the user hits a natural a usage milestone.
Price presentation - Ensure the price, feature description, and purchase button are clear and prominent. Ambiguity at the purchase screen creates friction.
Amazon Appstore audience - Fire TV and Fire tablet users may have different usage patterns. For example, Fire TV users often expect content consumption experiences, while tablet users may be more familiar with utility-style IAPs.
Recommendations:
A/B test your paywall placement - try different trigger points for showing the upgrade prompt
Add a “what you get” screen - visually show the before/after of upgrading
Consider a free trial - Amazon IAP supports free trial periods for subscriptions, which can significantly improve conversion
Use Amazon’s Appstore SDK messaging - ensure your IAP flow uses clear, localized purchase descriptions