8 Tips to Improve ASO Keywords List for App Store Page

The ASO keywords list is a collection of keywords you can use in your app metadata, such as the app title, subtitle, description, and keyword field.

And optimizing this keyword list helps Apple understand what your app is about and rank it higher in search results. But the keyword list allows only 100 characters, making it difficult to decide which keywords to include and which keywords to avoid.

So, to help you understand how to optimize app store keywords and make the best use of the characters allowed, here are a few tips to improve ASO keywords list, and some of the best ASO keyword tools you can use.

Key Insights

• Generic keywords help increase discoverability, while specific long-tail keywords attract users with higher download intent.
• Keyword research isn’t just about search volume. Relevance, competition, and conversion potential are equally important when selecting keywords.
• Tracking indexed keywords helps you understand how well your app is being discovered and whether your metadata optimization is working.
• The App Store indexes your app title, subtitle, company name, and category, so these terms don’t need to be repeated in the keyword field.
• AppLaunchpad stands out as the best ASO keyword tool as it allows you to discover new keyword opportunities, analyze competitors, track rankings, and create high-converting app store screenshots to improve conversions.

What is the ASO Keyword List?

ASO keyword list is a collection of keywords that you can add to your app store page to increase your app’s discoverability on the Apple App Store. Because this dedicated keyword field is a critical factor for Apple’s search algorithm, it significantly influences how easily users find your app.

However, it imposes a strict 100-character limit, which means every character is valuable and requires you to prioritize high-relevance terms strategically rather than simply listing as many keywords as possible.

That’s why it’s crucial to follow the right tips to improve ASO keywords and optimize your ASO keyword list for better rankings and visibility.

ASO Keyword Terminologies Explained

To better understand the best tips to improve ASO keywords for your app store page, let’s explore the different ASO keyword terminologies.

• Search volume: Search volume shows how often users search for a given term in the App Store. A high frequency indicates that a keyword is searched for by many people.
• Keyword difficulty: Keyword Difficulty shows how difficult it is to rank in the top search results for a specific keyword.
• Long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are keywords with a higher word count and lower search volume, but they lead to better conversions because they target motivated users.
• Keyword stuffing: Keyword stuffing is the practice of forcefully including your keywords in your app name, subtitle, and descriptions. This is generally penalized by the app store and can also result in your app being rejected during the review process.
• Keywords field: The Keyword field feature in App Store Connect allows developers to add multiple keywords, separated by commas, within the 100-character limit to improve app visibility. And most of our tips to improve the ASO keyword list would focus on this keyword field.
• Keyword indexing: Keyword indexing is the process by which the app store scans your app title, subtitle, description, and keyword field to understand your app.
• Keyword rank: The keyword ranking metric shows your app’s position in the search results for a specific keyword. For example, a keyword rank of #1 means you are the first app a user sees when they search for that keyword.

Why ASO Keyword Research Matters?

Let’s explore why ASO keyword research is the foundation of a successful App Store optimization strategy and how it helps improve your app’s visibility, attract the right users, and drive sustainable organic growth.

Maximized Discoverability

ASO keyword research helps you understand the exact terms users enter when searching for apps like yours. By optimizing your app’s metadata with relevant keywords, you increase the chances of appearing in more App Store search results, making your app easier for potential users to discover.

Targeted User Acquisition

Not every app download is equally valuable. Keyword research helps you target search terms that match your app’s features and user intent, allowing you to attract users who are more likely to download, engage with, and retain your app over time.

Cost-Effective Marketing

By following the best tips to improve ASO keyword ranking, you increase the chances of your app being discovered organically, reducing the amount of money you would be spending on ads and user acquisition campaigns.

Competitive Advantage

Keyword research also helps you uncover gaps in your competitors ASO strategies. By identifying relevant keywords with strong search demand but lower competition, you can target opportunities that improve your rankings and grow your app’s visibility before the market becomes more competitive.

ASO Keyword Metrics You Should Monitor

Before exploring the best tips to improve ASO keywords for your App Store listing, it’s important to understand the key ASO keyword metrics you should track.

• Keyword ranking: This shows your app’s position for different search terms, and tracking it lets you see where your app store keyword research is lacking and improve it.
• Search volume: This metric shows how often users search for a given keyword, helping you create an ASO keyword strategy targeting high-volume, low-difficulty keywords and long-tail keywords.
• Difficulty score: This metric measures how difficult it is to rank for a certain keyword. By targeting low-difficulty search terms, you can improve your app’s chances of being discovered.
• Conversion rate: Conversion rate is the percentage of users who install your app after finding it from search results. If you have good impressions and a low conversion rate, you might be targeting the wrong keywords or need to optimize your app store screenshots.
• Indexed keyword count: Indexed keyword count is the measure of how many keywords your app ranks for in the App Store and Play Store. A growing number shows that your app store keyword optimization is on the right track.

Differences Between the iOS Keyword List and the Play Store Keyword List

8 Tips to Improve ASO Keyword List for App Store Page

Here are the 8 tips to improve ASO keyword strategy and increase the chances of your app being discovered.

1. Think Like Customers

The very first tips to improve your ASO keyword strategy is to start from the perspective of a real customer. Think about what they might search for in the App Store or the exact terms they use to describe their pain point. You can easily understand their language by going through the reviews of your competitors, where your ideal customers might gather to share their opinions on the app.

2. Include Generic and Specific Terms

Include a mix of generic and specific keywords in your keyword field and metadata, as this helps Apple properly index your app and understand its functionality. For example, if you’re launching a fitness app, you can include generic keywords such as fitness, gym, etc.

This would increase the number of users you can reach, but to improve your conversion rate, you also need to include specific keywords like free home workout app or calisthenics for beginners. This attracts dedicated users who are more likely to download your app.

3. Prioritize Relevance and Popularity

To keep your app consistently in the search results, target keywords that users might use while searching for apps. For example, a person looking for a guitar lesson app might search for terms like learn guitar or guitar lessons.

Use ASO keyword tools to find relevant keywords and add them to your metadata and keyword fields to improve your app’s discoverability.

4. Capitalize on Search Trends

One of the best tips to improve ASO keyword ranking is to focus on trending keywords. For example, when the 75 Hard trend took off on the internet, many users searched for apps that could help them track their progress.

Fitness and habit-tracking apps that updated their metadata to include relevant keywords were better positioned to appear in those searches, attracting high-intent users looking for that specific functionality.

5. Remove Spaces and Pluralization

Since the keyword field on your App Store page isn’t visible to users, there’s no need to add spaces after commas. Apple automatically treats each comma-separated term as a separate keyword, so removing those spaces saves valuable characters and gives you room to include one or two additional keywords.

Also, remember to remove plural keywords for existing singular keywords, as Apple treats them the same. By doing so, you can save crucial keyword character space and add more relevant keywords to your keyword field.

6. Remove Duplication

Apple App Store algorithm is extremely intelligent, it automatically creates combinations of keywords from existing keywords in your keyword field and ranks your app for the same.

For example, instead of adding learn guitar as a single keyword, you can break that down to include learn and guitar as separate keywords. This removes duplication and gives you space to add more relevant keywords.

7. Exclude Your App, Company, and Category Names

Apple automatically indexes keywords from your app name, subtitle, developer name, and app category. Repeating these terms in the keyword field doesn’t provide additional ranking benefits and only wastes valuable character space. Use that space to target new, relevant keywords that can help your app rank for a wider range of search queries.

8. Use Search Match and Keyword Recommendations

One of the best tips to improve ASO keyword list is to look for relevant keywords using tools like Search Match and Keyword Recommendations from Apple’s ad tool library. This gives you a snapshot of the exact keywords Apple recommends for your ads, and you can also use them on your app store page.

Tools for Research of ASO Optimized Keyword List

1. AppLaunchpad

AppLaunchpad is a dedicated app store screenshot generator, but it also includes a powerful ASO keyword tool that allows users to find and target the right keywords to improve ASO keywords list and strategy.

Key features:

• Advanced keyword filtering: Filter keywords by time period, country, search traffic, and visibility to identify the most valuable opportunities for your App Store keyword list.
• Competitor keyword analysis: Discover the keywords your competitors rank for and reverse engineer their ASO strategy to uncover new keyword opportunities.
• Real-time keyword alerts: Get daily Slack updates on newly discovered keywords, ranking changes, and App Store algorithm updates so you never miss important trends.
• Keyword performance tracking: Track which keywords generate the most downloads and use those insights to continuously optimize your ASO keyword list and improve app visibility.

Pricing:

• $19/month if you use the code APPLOVE during checkout

2. ASOMobile

ASOMobile is an app keyword research tool that helps developers find better keywords for their App Store listing. It lets you discover new keyword opportunities, monitor keyword rankings, analyze competitor keywords, and improve your app’s visibility with data-backed insights.

Key Features

• Keyword discovery: Find relevant App Store keywords across multiple countries.
• Search volume analysis: Check how often a keyword is searched before adding it to your keyword list.
• Keyword ranking tracker: Monitor which keywords your app ranks for and identify new opportunities.
• Competitor keyword research: See which keywords competing apps rank for and use those insights to improve your ASO strategy.
• AI metadata suggestions: Generate optimized app titles, subtitles, and descriptions using AI.

Pricing:

• $59/month

3. App Radar

App Radar is one of the best ASO keyword research tools that helps developers improve their App Store and Google Play rankings. It makes it easier to find the right keywords, monitor rankings, track competitors, and discover new opportunities to increase organic app downloads.

Key Features

• AI keyword suggestions: Get keyword ideas based on search demand and competition.
• Large keyword database: Search millions of keywords to find relevant terms for your app.
• Competitor keyword analysis: See which keywords competing apps rank for and identify gaps in your own strategy.
• Keyword rank tracking: Track your keyword rankings across different countries and app stores.

Pricing:

• €69/month

Conclusion

Implementing these tips to improve ASO keywords list helps you make the most of the app store keyword list features on the app store page and make sure your app ranks higher when users search for those keywords.

That’s why it is crucial to do proper app store keyword optimization using ASO keyword tools like AppLaunchpad to find the best keywords that you can include in your app metadata and improve your app ranking.

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