As hundreds of thousands of new apps and games launch every year, standard categories provided by the App Store and Google Play often fall short for developers and analysts alike. The challenges are well-known:
1. Overly broad categories: For example, WhatsApp is simply labeled as “Social Networking,” which doesn’t reflect its functionality as a real-time messaging and video call tool.
2. Inconsistent labels across stores: Tinder is classified as “Dating” on the App Store, but as “Social” on Google Play – making accurate cross-platform comparisons difficult.
To address these issues, FoxData has developed the IQ Classification System – a multi-layered, intelligent taxonomy built around global mobile usage. It includes dozens of top-level categories and hundreds of subcategories across four major dimensions: app type, game genre, developer profile, and market region.
With IQ, you can:
● Unify category standards across platforms, eliminating mismatches between app stores;
● Identify core features and niche positioning, enabling deeper insights into an app’s role and competition;
● Automate classification at scale, removing the need for manual sorting and reducing human error.
Unlike traditional store taxonomies, IQ is designed to reflect the way users interact with apps today – with flexibility, nuance, and cross-functionality. It empowers teams to analyze the mobile landscape with clarity and precision.
Game IQ Trending
Using 11 main categories and hundreds of subcategories, the system delivers a nuanced breakdown of each game’s core identity, helping teams across product, marketing, and strategy make better-informed decisions.
Monetization Methods – e.g. ads, in-app purchases, subscriptions
Core Track – match-3, RPG, simulation, strategy, and more
Art Style – cartoon, realistic, pixel, etc.
Social – guild systems, friend invites, co-op mechanics
Audience – kids, mid-core, hardcore, casual
Theme Background – sci-fi, post-apocalyptic, fantasy, etc.
Player Engagement – daily quests, level-ups, login rewards
Game Classification – indie, MMO, PvP arena, and more
Game Features – character upgrades, deck building, boss fights
Game Theme – sports, racing, romance, etc.
Intellectual Property (IP) – based on existing movies, anime, novels, etc.
How to Use Game IQ
By default, the main view shows a pie chart ranked by the number of games in each high-level category, clearly illustrating the relative distribution. Key subcategories under each main category are also highlighted for quick reference.
You can switch the metric to downloads, revenue, or monthly active users (MAU) to explore category performance from different business angles.
Click on any section of the pie chart to expand it. This reveals its corresponding subcategories, along with a ranked list of top-performing games within the selected segment.
Many games belong to multiple categories. Hover over any tag next to a game’s name to see all IQ categories it has been assigned to. This offers a comprehensive view of the game’s features and positioning.
Use the category filter dropdown at the top of the page to focus on specific groups. Each main category supports full drill-down, allowing you to browse all related subcategories.
The bottom section of the page displays a data table with detailed insights for each Game IQ category.
Metrics include:
Recommended Games – Top titles based on combined downloads, revenue, and MAU;
Tag Popularity Trends – Category-level growth and interest over time;
Market Size Overview – Number of games, total downloads/revenue/MAU changes;
Top Markets – Country-level performance analysis based on aggregate impact.
Detailed Category Reports
To dive deeper, click the “Details” button beside any category.
This opens a dedicated report page with:
● Monthly performance trends
● Regional breakdown by country/market
● Audience demographic profiles
● Highlighted games and key performance indicators
App IQ
Using 22 main categories and hundreds of subcategories, the system delivers a nuanced breakdown of each app’s core identity, helping teams across product, marketing, and strategy make better-informed decisions.
Entertainment
Utility Tool
Personalization
Social & Communication
Finance & Wealth Management
Lifestyle
Photo & Video
Sports Apps
Education & Learning
Shopping
Productivity
Business
Travel
Food & Dining
Navigation
News & Magazines
Books & Reference
Automobile
Graphics & Design
Family Relations
Lifestyle
Government Apps
Developer IQ Trends
Using 12 main categories and hundreds of subcategories, the system delivers a nuanced breakdown of each app’s core identity, helping teams across product, marketing, and strategy make better-informed decisions.
Application
Core Track
Game Categories
Monetization
Social
Audience
Player Engagement
Game Feature
Game Theme
IP
Theme & Setting
Art Style
Regional IQ Trends
Using 12 main categories and hundreds of subcategories, the system delivers a nuanced breakdown of each app’s core identity, helping teams across product, marketing, and strategy make better-informed decisions.
Application
Core Track
Game Categories
Monetization
Social
Audience
Player Engagement
Game Feature
Game Theme
IP
Theme & Setting
Art Style
