Developers often seek to optimize for this feature, but it is largely uncontrollable. It serves as a significant driver of game discovery.
Byproduct of momentum. The 'More Like This' section is a byproduct of overall game momentum rather than a direct marketing lever.
Since the update, the system prioritizes already-released, high-popularity titles. This makes it difficult for unreleased games to compete for this specific visibility.
2018 update. Since a 2018 algorithm update, the 'More Like This' feature heavily prioritizes established, high-popularity blockbusters over unreleased titles.
The primary traffic impact is concentrated in the Top 12 visible on a game’s store page. The 'See All' list provides only minor discovery benefits.
While rare, some unreleased titles can occasionally secure these coveted spots. This happens if they achieve significant momentum through successful crowdfunding or high-profile demo releases.
Instead of targeting specific static sections, developers are encouraged to focus on the Steam Discovery Queue. They should also leverage real-time traffic spikes generated by streamers or marketing announcements.
The recommendation engine is highly individualized and responsive to external traffic. It favors sustained engagement over static placement strategies.
While a spot in 'More Like This' can provide a substantial boost to wishlists and followers, it remains a byproduct of a game’s overall momentum. It is not a direct marketing lever that can be reliably planned or manipulated.
The Steam algorithm’s "More Like This" section serves as a significant, albeit largely uncontrollable, driver of game discovery. While developers often seek to optimize for this feature, the current system prioritizes already-released, high-popularity titles within the "Top 12" slots visible on a game’s store page. Since an algorithm update in late 2018, the criteria for these placements have shifted to favor established blockbusters, making it difficult for unreleased games to compete for this specific visibility.
Although appearing in the "See All" list provides minor benefits, the primary traffic impact is concentrated in the "above the fold" Top 12. While rare, some unreleased titles—particularly those with successful crowdfunding campaigns or high-profile demo releases—can occasionally break into these coveted spots. However, attempting to reverse-engineer these placements is generally ineffective. Instead, developers are encouraged to focus on broader, more dynamic discovery mechanisms, such as the Steam Discovery Queue and real-time traffic spikes generated by streamers or marketing announcements.
Steam’s recommendation engine is highly individualized and responsive to external traffic, meaning that sustained engagement and visibility are better achieved through consistent marketing efforts rather than targeting specific static sections. Ultimately, while securing a spot in "More Like This" can provide a substantial boost to wishlists and followers, it remains a byproduct of a game’s overall momentum and platform-wide performance rather than a direct marketing lever that can be reliably planned or manipulated.