App Store Optimization (ASO)
ASO tools for researching keywords, optimizing metadata, analyzing competitors, and improving app store visibility on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Table of Contents
- Keyword Research Workflow
- Metadata Optimization Workflow
- Competitor Analysis Workflow
- App Launch Workflow
- A/B Testing Workflow
- Before/After Examples
- Tools and References
Keyword Research Workflow
Discover and evaluate keywords that drive app store visibility.
Workflow: Conduct Keyword Research
- Define target audience and core app functions:
- Primary use case (what problem does the app solve)
- Target user demographics
- Competitive category
- Generate seed keywords from:
- App features and benefits
- User language (not developer terminology)
- App store autocomplete suggestions
- Expand keyword list using:
- Modifiers (free, best, simple)
- Actions (create, track, organize)
- Audiences (for students, for teams, for business)
- Evaluate each keyword:
- Search volume (estimated monthly searches)
- Competition (number and quality of ranking apps)
- Relevance (alignment with app function)
- Score and prioritize keywords:
- Primary: Title and keyword field (iOS)
- Secondary: Subtitle and short description
- Tertiary: Full description only
- Map keywords to metadata locations
- Document keyword strategy for tracking
- Validation: Keywords scored; placement mapped; no competitor brand names included; no plurals in iOS keyword field
Keyword Evaluation Criteria
| Factor | Weight | High Score Indicators | |--------|--------|----------------------| | Relevance | 35% | Describes core app function | | Volume | 25% | 10,000+ monthly searches | | Competition | 25% | Top 10 apps have <4.5 avg rating | | Conversion | 15% | Transactional intent ("best X app") |
Keyword Placement Priority
| Location | Search Weight | Character Limit | |----------|---------------|-----------------| | App Title | Highest | 30 (iOS) / 50 (Android) | | Subtitle (iOS) | High | 30 | | Keyword Field (iOS) | High | 100 | | Short Description (Android) | High | 80 | | Full Description | Medium | 4,000 |
See: references/keyword-research-guide.md
Metadata Optimization Workflow
Optimize app store listing elements for search ranking and conversion.
Workflow: Optimize App Metadata
- Audit current metadata against platform limits:
- Title character count and keyword presence
- Subtitle/short description usage
- Keyword field efficiency (iOS)
- Description keyword density
- Optimize title following formula:
[Brand Name] - [Primary Keyword] [Secondary Keyword] - Write subtitle (iOS) or short description (Android):
- Focus on primary benefit
- Include secondary keyword
- Use action verbs
- Optimize keyword field (iOS only):
- Remove duplicates from title
- Remove plurals (Apple indexes both forms)
- No spaces after commas
- Prioritize by score
- Rewrite full description:
- Hook paragraph with value proposition
- Feature bullets with keywords
- Social proof section
- Call to action
- Validate character counts for each field
- Calculate keyword density (target 2-3% primary)
- Validation: All fields within character limits; primary keyword in title; no keyword stuffing (>5%); natural language preserved
Platform Character Limits
| Field | Apple App Store | Google Play Store | |-------|-----------------|-------------------| | Title | 30 characters | 50 characters | | Subtitle | 30 characters | N/A | | Short Description | N/A | 80 characters | | Keywords | 100 characters | N/A | | Promotional Text | 170 characters | N/A | | Full Description | 4,000 characters | 4,000 characters | | What's New | 4,000 characters | 500 characters |
Description Structure
PARAGRAPH 1: Hook (50-100 words)
├── Address user pain point
├── State main value proposition
└── Include primary keyword
PARAGRAPH 2-3: Features (100-150 words)
├── Top 5 features with benefits
├── Bullet points for scanability
└── Secondary keywords naturally integrated
PARAGRAPH 4: Social Proof (50-75 words)
├── Download count or rating
├── Press mentions or awards
└── Summary of user testimonials
PARAGRAPH 5: Call to Action (25-50 words)
├── Clear next step
└── Reassurance (free trial, no signup)
See: references/platform-requirements.md
Competitor Analysis Workflow
Analyze top competitors to identify keyword gaps and positioning opportunities.
Workflow: Analyze Competitor ASO Strategy
- Identify top 10 competitors:
- Direct competitors (same core function)
- Indirect competitors (overlapping audience)
- Category leaders (top downloads)
- Extract competitor keywords from:
- App titles and subtitles
- First 100 words of descriptions
- Visible metadata patterns
- Build competitor keyword matrix:
- Map which keywords each competitor targets
- Calculate coverage percentage per keyword
- Identify keyword gaps:
- Keywords with <40% competitor coverage
- High volume terms competitors miss
- Long-tail opportunities
- Analyze competitor visual assets:
- Icon design patterns
- Screenshot messaging and style
- Video presence and quality
- Compare ratings and review patterns:
- Average rating by competitor
- Common praise themes
- Common complaint themes
- Document positioning opportunities
- Validation: 10+ competitors analyzed; keyword matrix complete; gaps identified with volume estimates; visual audit documented
Competitor Analysis Matrix
| Analysis Area | Data Points | |---------------|-------------| | Keywords | Title keywords, description frequency | | Metadata | Character utilization, keyword density | | Visuals | Icon style, screenshot count/style | | Ratings | Average rating, total count, velocity | | Reviews | Top praise, top complaints |
Gap Analysis Template
| Opportunity Type | Example | Action | |------------------|---------|--------| | Keyword gap | "habit tracker" (40% coverage) | Add to keyword field | | Feature gap | Competitor lacks widget | Highlight in screenshots | | Visual gap | No videos in top 5 | Create app preview | | Messaging gap | None mention "free" | Test free positioning |
App Launch Workflow
Execute a structured launch for maximum initial visibility.
Workflow: Launch App to Stores
- Complete pre-launch preparation (4 weeks before):
- Finalize keywords and metadata
- Prepare all visual assets
- Set up analytics (Firebase, Mixpanel)
- Build press kit and media list
- Submit for review (2 weeks before):
- Complete all store requirements
- Verify compliance with guidelines
- Prepare launch communications
- Configure post-launch systems:
- Set up review monitoring
- Prepare response templates
- Configure rating prompt timing
- Execute launch day:
- Verify app is live in both stores
- Announce across all channels
- Begin review response cycle
- Monitor initial performance (days 1-7):
- Track download velocity hourly
- Monitor reviews and respond within 24 hours
- Document any issues for quick fixes
- Conduct 7-day retrospective:
- Compare performance to projections
- Identify quick optimization wins
- Plan first metadata update
- Schedule first update (2 weeks post-launch)
- Validation: App live in stores; analytics tracking; review responses within 24h; download velocity documented; first update scheduled
Pre-Launch Checklist
| Category | Items | |----------|-------| | Metadata | Title, subtitle, description, keywords | | Visual Assets | Icon, screenshots (all sizes), video | | Compliance | Age rating, privacy policy, content rights | | Technical | App binary, signing certificates | | Analytics | SDK integration, event tracking | | Marketing | Press kit, social content, email ready |
Launch Timing Considerations
| Factor | Recommendation | |--------|----------------| | Day of week | Tuesday-Wednesday (avoid weekends) | | Time of day | Morning in target market timezone | | Seasonal | Align with relevant category seasons | | Competition | Avoid major competitor launch dates |
See: references/aso-best-practices.md
A/B Testing Workflow
Test metadata and visual elements to improve conversion rates.
Workflow: Run A/B Test
- Select test element (prioritize by impact):
- Icon (highest impact)
- Screenshot 1 (high impact)
- Title (high impact)
- Short description (medium impact)
- Form hypothesis:
If we [change], then [metric] will [improve/increase] by [amount] because [rationale]. - Create variants:
- Control: Current version
- Treatment: Single variable change
- Calculate required sample size:
- Baseline conversion rate
- Minimum detectable effect (usually 5%)
- Statistical significance (95%)
- Launch test:
- Apple: Use Product Page Optimization
- Android: Use Store Listing Experiments
- Run test for minimum duration:
- At least 7 days
- Until statistical significance reached
- Analyze results:
- Compare conversion rates
- Check statistical significance
- Document learnings
- Validation: Single variable tested; sample size sufficient; significance reached (95%); results documented; winner implemented
A/B Test Prioritization
| Element | Conversion Impact | Test Complexity | |---------|-------------------|-----------------| | App Icon | 10-25% lift possible | Medium (design needed) | | Screenshot 1 | 15-35% lift possible | Medium | | Title | 5-15% lift possible | Low | | Short Description | 5-10% lift possible | Low | | Video | 10-20% lift possible | High |
Sample Size Quick Reference
| Baseline CVR | Impressions Needed (per variant) | |--------------|----------------------------------| | 1% | 31,000 | | 2% | 15,500 | | 5% | 6,200 | | 10% | 3,100 |
Test Documentation Template
TEST ID: ASO-2025-001
ELEMENT: App Icon
HYPOTHESIS: A bolder color icon will increase conversion by 10%
START DATE: [Date]
END DATE: [Date]
RESULTS:
├── Control CVR: 4.2%
├── Treatment CVR: 4.8%
├── Lift: +14.3%
├── Significance: 97%
└── Decision: Implement treatment
LEARNINGS:
- Bold colors outperform muted tones in this category
- Apply to screenshot backgrounds for next test
Before/After Examples
Title Optimization
Productivity App:
| Version | Title | Analysis | |---------|-------|----------| | Before | "MyTasks" | No keywords, brand only (8 chars) | | After | "MyTasks - Todo List & Planner" | Primary + secondary keywords (29 chars) |
Fitness App:
| Version | Title | Analysis | |---------|-------|----------| | Before | "FitTrack Pro" | Generic modifier (12 chars) | | After | "FitTrack: Workout Log & Gym" | Category keywords (27 chars) |
Subtitle Optimization (iOS)
| Version | Subtitle | Analysis | |---------|----------|----------| | Before | "Get Things Done" | Vague, no keywords | | After | "Daily Task Manager & Planner" | Two keywords, benefit clear |
Keyword Field Optimization (iOS)
Before (Inefficient - 89 chars, 8 keywords):
task manager, todo list, productivity app, daily planner, reminder app
After (Optimized - 97 chars, 14 keywords):
task,todo,checklist,reminder,organize,daily,planner,schedule,deadline,goals,habit,widget,sync,team
Improvements:
- Removed spaces after commas (+8 chars)
- Removed duplicates (task manager → task)
- Removed plurals (reminders → reminder)
- Removed words in title
- Added more relevant keywords
Description Opening
Before:
MyTasks is a comprehensive task management solution designed
to help busy professionals organize their daily activities
and boost productivity.
After:
Forget missed deadlines. MyTasks keeps every task, reminder,
and project in one place—so you focus on doing, not remembering.
Trusted by 500,000+ professionals.
Improvements:
- Leads with user pain point
- Specific benefit (not generic "boost productivity")
- Social proof included
- Keywords natural, not stuffed
Screenshot Caption Evolution
| Version | Caption | Issue | |---------|---------|-------| | Before | "Task List Feature" | Feature-focused, passive | | Better | "Create Task Lists" | Action verb, but still feature | | Best | "Never Miss a Deadline" | Benefit-focused, emotional |
Tools and References
Scripts
| Script | Purpose | Usage |
|--------|---------|-------|
| keyword_analyzer.py | Analyze keywords for volume and competition | python keyword_analyzer.py --keywords "todo,task,planner" |
| metadata_optimizer.py | Validate metadata character limits and density | python metadata_optimizer.py --platform ios --title "App Title" |
| competitor_analyzer.py | Extract and compare competitor keywords | python competitor_analyzer.py --competitors "App1,App2,App3" |
| aso_scorer.py | Calculate overall ASO health score | python aso_scorer.py --app-id com.example.app |
| ab_test_planner.py | Plan tests and calculate sample sizes | python ab_test_planner.py --cvr 0.05 --lift 0.10 |
| review_analyzer.py | Analyze review sentiment and themes | python review_analyzer.py --app-id com.example.app |
| launch_checklist.py | Generate platform-specific launch checklists | python launch_checklist.py --platform ios |
| localization_helper.py | Manage multi-language metadata | python localization_helper.py --locales "en,es,de,ja" |
References
| Document | Content | |----------|---------| | platform-requirements.md | iOS and Android metadata specs, visual asset requirements | | aso-best-practices.md | Optimization strategies, rating management, launch tactics | | keyword-research-guide.md | Research methodology, evaluation framework, tracking |
Assets
| Template | Purpose | |----------|---------| | aso-audit-template.md | Structured audit checklist for app store listings |
Platform Limitations
Data Constraints
| Constraint | Impact | |------------|--------| | No official keyword volume data | Estimates based on third-party tools | | Competitor data limited to public info | Cannot see internal metrics | | Review access limited to public reviews | No access to private feedback | | Historical data unavailable for new apps | Cannot compare to past performance |
Platform Behavior
| Platform | Behavior | |----------|----------| | iOS | Keyword changes require app submission | | iOS | Promotional text editable without update | | Android | Metadata changes index in 1-2 hours | | Android | No separate keyword field (use description) | | Both | Algorithm changes without notice |
When Not to Use This Skill
| Scenario | Alternative | |----------|-------------| | Web apps | Use web SEO skills | | Enterprise apps (not public) | Internal distribution tools | | Beta/TestFlight only | Focus on feedback, not ASO | | Paid advertising strategy | Use paid acquisition skills |
Related Skills
| Skill | Integration Point | |-------|-------------------| | content-creator | App description copywriting | | marketing-demand-acquisition | Launch promotion campaigns | | marketing-strategy-pmm | Go-to-market planning |