Apple has reportedly made alteration in the ranking algorithm for the App Store to influence the way apps are ranked, according to blog Inside Mobile Apps.

Now, less importance is given to the number of downloads while ranking an app at the App Store.

Third-party analytics provider Flurry claims that it had noticed a number of changes in the top free app category rankings over the past week.

Factors like active usage of an app are now being given more importance while ranking apps. The new ranking algorithm has greatly benefited apps like Facebook, which all of a sudden jumped to the top spot. Previously, it had been languishing between 10th to 20th ranks.

However, Apple declined to comment on the report.

There are more than 350,000 apps available on the Apple App Store. Experts are of the view that the new ranking algorithm will push developers to create quality apps that will enjoy active usage.