r/RankMyApps

I'm running Meta ads for my app, its an AI scanner utility app, the app core is good, screenshots good, ASO is good, i know that by looking at store listing cnv rate

Here are the ad results so far:

• Spend: $16.77
• App installs: 179
• CPI: $0.09
• Clicks: 412
• CPC: $0.04
• CTR: 1.65%
• Reach: 23,013

The app has a subscription model (weekly 4.99$, yearly 29$), but I've had zero trial starts and zero purchases from these installs, recently i added reward ad so use can choose to watch ad and scan or upgrade to premium but no luck, even with spend of 5$ got installs etc but no sales and only 0.1$ in admob from reward ad.

I'm trying to understand where the problem is.

Some questions:

1. Is 179 installs simply too little data to expect a conversion?
2. Would you optimize for installs initially, or try to optimize for trials/purchases?
3. What conversion rate would you expect from ~180 installs for a niche hobby app?
4. At what point would you conclude the issue is the audience, paywall, pricing, or product itself?

Target countries:

• all countries except : Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, India, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco

I'd appreciate any feedback from people who've scaled subscription-based utility apps.