Yesterday the Kardashian sisters released a set of four lifestyle apps. Named after Kim, Khloé, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner, the apps offer more in-depth versions of the social media content the sisters post to their Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat followings. If you had any doubts about the influence of the Kardashians, take a look at this chart:
They’re currently dominating the “entertainment” category of the App Store for iPhone downloads. But that doesn’t show the whole picture of their popularity. Kylie Jenner is currently the number one free app in all categories in the App Store. Khloé’s app is #13. Kim and Kendall are not far behind, ranking #35 and #43 in the App store, respectively. (Per the screenshot below, it’s not clear why several apps, including non-Kardashian ones, are showing up with Kendall’s logo on Apple’s website.)
They’re also dominating the App Store’s trending searches:
The question is whether all those downloads will translate to subscribers. Each app is free to download but costs $3 a month to access.
In a public appearance yesterday at the Apple Store in New York, the sisters explained that they hoped their apps could be a place for them to communicate and get feedback from fans that wasn’t negative. With millions of followers each on social media outlets, they’re subject to lots of trolling. The paywall will likely keep out the trolls. “We want to hear from fans, but we want to start changing the way of social media and have it be from all positives,” Khloé said at the event.
Most web audiences aren’t used to paying for content of any kind. The question will be whether enough superfans will be willing to pay for the extra content, when they can already get all the selfies they want for free on Instagram and Twitter. So far, the Kardashian-Jenner empire is off to a strong start. The last sister, Kourtney, will launch her app later this year.
Read Coins2Day’s prior coverage of the Kardashian apps in our story, “Keeping App with the Kardashians.”
