App store optimization is essential for getting a higher rank for your mobile application in the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.
Getting a higher rank in app store rankings is crucial to increasing your apps’ userbase, and it can skyrocket your downloads and revenue generated from your app.
So, in this article, we will discuss 5 simple ASO tips which will allow you to get your app ranked higher in app store search results.
Use Keywords in Your App Title
Using your main keywords in your app title can boost your rankings significantly as several studies have shown that apps without keywords in their titles are unable to rank high.
App store search works quite similar to the web search, and search algorithms tend to rank app titles containing keywords higher than those without any keyword.
According to a study conducted by Tune, apps with keywords in their app titles ranked 10.3% higher in app search results than apps without any keyword in their app title.
Localize Your App!
Majority of mobile devices are nowadays used in non-English speaking countries, and these countries also generate most of the revenue for mobile apps. So, it’s a good idea to localize your app content to meet the requirements of your target user base.
A study conducted a few years ago have shown that non-English speaking countries in Europe and East Asia account for almost 50% of Top 10 slots for downloads and revenue in iOS App Store.
The share of non-English speaking countries is even higher in Google Play Store, where countries of Europe and East Asia account for 80% of Top 5 slots for Downloads and Revenue. So, these stats will give you an idea about the importance of app localization.
Above image shows screenshots for the popular game Clash of Clans published by Supercell.
As you can see, the company has translated this app screenshot along with the accompanying text into the Chinese language to attract Chinese users.
You can use low-cost translation and localization services to translate your app title, app descriptions, screenshots and app preview videos in to the language of your target audience as this will allow you to expand into newer geographies.
You can also refer to our ultimate guide to app localization for further information and tips on how to localize your app for different markets.
Use Keywords in the Right Places
Keywords are central to app store search rankings, and you need to use your primary and secondary keywords strategically to gain a higher rank for your mobile app.
Few people are aware of the fact that app store algorithms also use keywords within app reviews to decide the rank of your app in their rankings.
For the Google Play Store, keywords must also be used in the description of an app along with the app title.
You must also be mindful not to overdo this as several amateur developers make the mistake of using too many keywords which may lead to lower rankings as such behavior is considered keyword stuffing.
A single keyword must not be used more than 5 times in an app store product page.
The goal is not to game the system but to strike a balance between a description favored by the algorithm and a clear written description that will catch the attention of a user.
On the Apple App Store, the keyword spot is where you will put your secondary keywords, but you should not repeat any of them here as well.
Recommended Article: An Ultimate Guide for App Store Keyword Optimization
Have a Preview Video
Apple has removed the tap to play function for their app preview videos in iOS 11, and this essentially means that most preview videos will auto-play in search results and product page views.
This will lead to preview videos gaining an even more important role in ASO and apps without any preview videos will be at a disadvantage in comparison to those with preview videos.
Know your Customer and Competition
You must study your customers and competitors and create targeted marketing content to reach your target audience.
You must be able to answer the following questions even before you start the ASO process:
- Who are your real customers? Where do they live and what language do, they speak?
- How do they describe your app?
- What is your competitive advantage over other similar apps?
- Track keywords targeted by your competitors?
You must try to put yourself in your customer’s shoes and strive to deliver your best.
You can also learn a lot about your customers by interacting with them or reading the reviews of your app left by them as customers often vent out their issues in the review section of an app.
Most modern tools allow you to monitor reviews easily as shown in the image above which depicts the number of reviews Clash of Clans receive each day.
As you can see from the screenshot, Clash of Clans receives negligible negative reviews as compared with the positive ones.
It’s also a good idea to read reviews, especially the negative ones as you will be able to decipher the drawbacks of your app from the negative reviews.
If you want to learn deeper about ASO, check these articles:
