Answer: App Store Optimization (ASO) is a set of best practices for improving your app’s visibility and ranking on an app store. App store search queries are performed based on user input which means that all users will be searching for different keywords. There are hundreds of ranking factors within each individual app store, which means that it is crucial to conduct research into these factors so you can identify where to focus your efforts. Once you’ve done that, a well-thought-out ASO strategy can help boost your downloads and increase in-app purchases.

Answer: If you’re considering App Store Optimization (ASO) as a way to help your app gain visibility, it’s important to understand how ASO differs from traditional search engine optimization (SEO). SEO focuses on ensuring that your app can be easily found on search engines through optimizing metadata, content, and sitemaps. ASO, by contrast, focuses on what potential users are searching for when looking for apps in an app store. The goal of ASO is to ensure that your app ranks high enough in Apple’s rankings so that users can find your app via search results. A successful ASO strategy considers factors such as keywords and competitors.

SEO is about optimizing your app for discovery on Google or Apple’s App Store search engine. With SEO, you can increase your app’s ranking in search results and make it easier for potential users to find your app. However, with ASO you should instead focus on promoting your app in places that can drive direct installs. The goal of ASO is to help users discover apps by making them visible on top charts in their respective stores (i.e., Apple’s Top Charts). That being said, there are certain elements of ASO that have a positive impact on organic rankings so they do cross over with some parts of SEO like keyword research.

Answer: One of your first steps in app store optimization is to analyze your app’s performance. This can be done by analyzing organic search rankings, which are automatically calculated through App Annie or Google Play’s keyword tracker feature. The results that you see will give you an idea of how well your app is performing on its own merits. If you’re still not sure if it’s optimized, look at how it ranks organically next to similar apps and adjust accordingly. For example, if your app has a ranking of around #100 for pet grooming but you know there are several other pet grooming apps available with better rankings, take a look at what they’re doing differently than you—and try incorporating those differences into your own strategy.

Answer: ASO tools make it easy to optimize your app’s description and keywords, monitor keyword rankings, find untapped keywords, and more. The most popular ASO tools are Mobile Action, Sensor Tower, App Annie, SearchMan, and Appsfire. Most of these can be used free or on a pay-per-use basis. In addition to these paid tools, you can also use free third-party websites like Google Play or iTunes search ranking tool for instance to get some insights into how well you’re doing in terms of ASO and keywords.

Answer: Mobile app marketing experts will tell you to start optimizing your app immediately, but there is no set time that works for everyone. That’s because so much of your app’s success has to do with timing: The sooner you start, the sooner you can begin tapping into a user base that is actively looking for solutions like yours. If your target market—your customers—are searching for apps like yours in an already crowded market, they might not look twice at your new offering if it doesn’t pop up near the top of their search results. That’s why so many experts recommend starting ASO as soon as possible, even before or during development.

Answer: An app’s ASO can have an impact on its success within a matter of hours, though results are typically measured over a longer period of time. Once you’ve implemented your changes to your app or game’s metadata, you’ll need to wait at least a week before you can truly gauge their effectiveness. That said, keep in mind that ASO isn’t something you do once and forget about; it requires constant attention to yield consistent results—and if things aren’t working out for you, be sure to change up your approach.

Answer: Just like SEO, app store optimization (ASO) can be confusing for those that don’t deal with it on a regular basis. There are many factors that go into ASO; keywords, reviews, ratings, and descriptions are just a few. In fact, there are well over 50 different things you can optimize to rank higher on your app’s store page.

Answer: Keywords and descriptions aren’t just there to help search engines—they also have a huge effect on App Store Optimization. In the same way that certain words will make your piece of content show up in Google, they also trigger certain keywords within Apple’s search function, which is what leads users to your app’s page.
For example, if you choose word game as one of your top keywords, word game will be associated with your app whenever someone searches for those words (even when those words don’t appear within your description). Your description should always be written with potential customers in mind and optimized for ASO. You can use these tricks for better keyword optimization

Answer: There are a variety of analytics available to help you determine if your ASO efforts are working. One option is to use Google Play Developer Console, which has powerful reporting and monitoring tools. If you’re looking for a holistic picture of your app’s overall performance, third-party analytics platforms such as Swrve or Tune can be invaluable, especially when combined with other app store optimization best practices such as A/B testing and beta programs. Another strategy is to pay attention to your competitor’s movements: they may be doing something right that you should mimic!