Steam Algorithm Readiness Checklist

This checklist isn't a to-do list for the sake of checking boxes. Every item maps to a specific signal that Steam's algorithm weights when deciding whether to show your game to more people. Missing even a few can mean the difference between landing in "New & Trending" and being invisible on launch day.

The "Before Launch" section is where most indie devs leave the most on the table. A polished demo, a compelling store page with an optimized capsule image, and regular devlogs are the foundation. But the detail that trips people up is localization: Steam's algorithm shows your game to players in regions where you've localized. Adding just Chinese (Simplified) and Japanese to your store page can increase your total addressable audience by 40-60%.

"At Launch" is about concentrated velocity. Steam's widgets reward a burst of activity in the first 48-72 hours. That means mobilizing your community to buy on Day 1, not "sometime this week." Every review in the first two days matters enormously -- games with 10+ reviews in 48 hours get dramatically more algorithmic exposure than those trickling in over weeks.

The "After Launch" section is the one nobody talks about, and it's arguably the most important. Steam rewards games that keep updating. A major content patch every 4-8 weeks with a proper announcement triggers Steam to re-surface your game in recommendation widgets. I've seen games that flopped at launch come back from the dead because the developer shipped great updates consistently for 6 months.

Your readiness score gives you a simple signal. Above 80%: you're well-positioned for a strong launch. Between 50-80%: you've got gaps that could cost you meaningful visibility. Below 50%: seriously consider delaying until you can address the fundamentals.