The success in any of the app stores is all about decisions. In this highly changing environment, any step you take is crucial for your app’s performance.
During this endless process of iteration, App Store Optimization (ASO) is one of your best friends.
Thanks to ASO, you can test and monitor the performance of your keyword decisions. It is also to do some further tricks such as using app names as keywords.
In this blog post, we will focus on how you can use app names as an advantage for your ASO-strategy.
You will see that using app names as keywords can be extremely beneficial for the visibility of your app and beyond. This blog post will help you to learn about the best practices of using app names as keywords.
Using App Names as Keywords
It has been known that Apple recommends not putting keywords in your app name. You can speculate many reasons for Apple’s recommendation.
In reality, Apple just wants to retain control over the quality of the App Store and make everything look as pretty as possible.
So what about using app names keywords, especially if it is the name of another app? Obviously, Apple will not be pleased to hear this as an option. But as you know, guidelines and reality can be two very different things.
So what’s the benefit of using app names as keywords? Now we will focus on the keyword trick of using other publisher’s app names.
How can it be useful?
In the world of App Store Optimization (ASO), the sky is the limit when it comes to the creative tips & tricks you can follow to maximize your app’s success.
In terms of keywords, you should continuously search for the best keywords working for you and make the necessary adjustments.
Results indicate that using other publisher’s app names clearly works for your benefit.
It works because people tend to find popular apps by directly searching for their name. For example, to find Instagram, they’ll search “instagram,” not “filters.”
Just like the word Kleenex has become the new word for tissues, app names become search terms.
The Risks
Whether you like it or not, it’s not exactly included in the book of best business practices. So, you have a decision to make.
As a fundamental purpose of App Store Optimization (ASO), decisions about your app names contribute significantly to your App Store ranking.
As the ultimate goal, increasing visibility boost your downloads and help you to generate revenue.
Therefore, it would make sense to put keywords in your app name. But also keep in mind that if you put too many keywords in your app name, and you’re running a high risk of getting rejected by Apple.
Apple might also delete keywords without telling you. So be sure to double check, after your app is published.
How to Use Other Publishers’ App Names
- WORST: In your app name
- BEST: Keyword spot
Note: Never use other publishers’ app names in Google Play Store as you will be banned.
Detailed information about itunes connect keywords is here.
Using App Names as Keywords: An Example
Now let’s take a look at a good example of how this works.
There are a lot of apps that use Dropbox for storage. However, Apple has cracked down on using that as a keyword in the app name. But there are still apps that use it in their keywords to get downloads.
Here is one example…
This photo storage app ranks very well for the keyword “dropbox,” as well as other associated app names, such as “onedrive” and “shutterfly.” But as far as we can tell from their website, they don’t use any of these services in their app.
So again, this is a gray area and only you can decide if you want to implement this strategy or not.
The Bottom Line
You can decide for yourself where on the app store morality scale you fall in terms of using other app names, but know that all liability is on you. To see what other apps are doing, be sure to take a look at their keywords.
Apple’s policies will change from time-to-time, so stay up to date! Hope you liked our post about using app names as keywords.
Keep in mind that there are many keyword tips & tricks you can pursue a successful ASO strategy.
Feel free to share this post with other developers as it may be helpful for them.
Cheers’
MobileAction Team
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