Effective Factors of Google Play Store and Apple App Store Optimization [ASO]

App Icon 

• Your app’s first impression
• Use a single focus point to capture attention
• Use High-res and optimize size for each device
• Make it descriptive, unique, simple
• Avoid transparency
• Avoid text, use a border
• Test it against different wallpapers
• Combined with your app name, your app icon should reflect your app’s purpose

REQUIREMENTS

• iPhone 6 Plus | 6s Plus: 180 x 180px
• iPhone 6 | 6s | SE: 120 x 120px
• iPad Pro: 167 x 167px
• iPad, iPad mini: 152 x 152px
• App Store large icon: 1024 x 1024px

App Icon 

• Your app’s first impression
• Use a single focus point to capture attention
• Use High-res and optimize size for each device
• Make it descriptive, unique, simple
• Avoid transparency
• Avoid text, use a border
• Test it against different wallpapers
• Combined with your app name, your app icon should reflect your app’s purpose

REQUIREMENTS

• File format: 32-bit PNG (with alpha)
• Icon size: 512 x 512px
• Maximum file size: 1024kb

App Name

• Create a descriptive and consistent sentence reflecting your app’s purpose
• Should be memorable and complementary to your app icon
• Include your strongest keywords (and place them at the very beginning)
• Localize your app title for each targeted language

Characters limit: 50

App Name

• Create a descriptive and consistent sentence reflecting your app’s purpose
• Should be memorable and complementary to your app icon
• Include your strongest keywords (and place them at the very beginning)
• Localize your app title for each targeted language

Characters limit: 30

App Description

• Keywords from the app description are not officially taken into account by the algorithm, although they might have a small impact
• Optimize it for SEO
• Must be easy to read, convincing, engaging
• Focus on the first 255 characters (3 lines) to showcase your best features and include a CTA
• Use bullet points to list your features
• Include mentions, awards or nice reviews
• Localize your copy for each targeted language

Characters limit: 4000

App Description

• Keywords from the app description are taken into account by the algorithm to rank the app
• Use all available characters
• Repeat targeted keywords (+/- 10) 4-5 times each
• Use various keyphrases combinations
• Focus on keywords density
• Avoid keyword stuffing!
• Must be easy to read, convincing, engaging
• Focus on the first 255 characters (3 lines) to showcase your best features and include a CTA
• Use bullet points to list your features
• Include mentions, awards or nice reviews
• Localize your copy for each targeted language

Characters limit: 4000

Keywords

• Keywords are taken into account by the algorithm to rank the app from the app name + the iTunes Connect Keyword field + app publisher name + in-app purchases
• Use the most important keywords in your app name
• Use commas to separate each keyword (no spaces)
• Use single keywords rather than long tail keywords
• Use all available 100 characters
• Don’t repeat keywords from your app name, app publisher name or app category
• Make sure your keywords can be combined with each other
• Plural and singular are seen as two different keywords. Better to use singular
• Target keywords with high relevancy, high Volume and low Competition = high KEI (AppTweak.com can help!)
• Localize your keywords for each language

Characters limit: 100

Keywords

• Keywords are taken into account by the algorithm to rank the app from the app name + the app description + app publisher name
• Use the most important keywords in your app name
• Repeat targeted keywords (+/- 10) 4-5 times each in your app description
• Use various keyphrases combinations
• Focus on keywords density
• Avoid keyword stuffing!
• Try to get as many app review mentions as possible on strong & relevant keywords (backlinking)

Targeted keywords: use about 10, repeat 5x each

App Screenshots

• Very important in terms of conversion
• Use all available 5 screenshots slots
• Focus on your first 2 screenshots as they are displayed in the search results (unless you have an app preview: in this case, only the first screenshot will be displayed)
• Make your screenshots high-res and well-designed
• Show of 1 feature per screenshot
• Use a small sentence on the top of each screenshot to increase comprehension and conversion
• Localize your screenshots for each language
• A/B test your screenshots
• Optimize your screenshots for each screen size

REQUIREMENTS

• iPhone 4 | 4s: 640 x 960px
• iPhone 5 | 5s | 5c | 5SE: 640 x 1136px
• iPhone 6 | 6s: 750 x 1334px
• iPhone 6 Plus | 6s Plus: 1242 x 2208px
• iPad 2 | Mini 1: 768 x 1024px
• iPad 3 | 4 | Air | Air 2 | Mini 2 | Mini 3: 1536 x 2048px

App Screenshots

• Very important in terms of conversion
• Use all available 8 screenshots slots
• Make your screenshots high-res and well-designed
• Show of 1 feature per screenshot
• Use a small sentence on the top of each screenshot to increase comprehension and conversion
• Localize your screenshots for each language
• A/B test your screenshots
• Will be displayed on your feature graphic if you have one
• Optimize your screenshots for each screen size

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum dimension: 320px
• Maximum dimension: 3840px

• The maximum dimension of your screenshot can’t be more than twice as long as the minimum dimension.

Feature Graphic

N/A

Feature Graphic

• Displayed at the top of your Store listing page
• Feature graphic is optional but it is highly effective in terms of conversion and therefore recommended
• Users love visual elements and their attention will directly be caught by your asset
• Avoid using text or use large font sizes
• A “play” button will overlay your feature graphic so that users can watch your promo video easily
• Center the elements of your asset as much as possible (don’t include visual information near the borders)
• Include your logo as your feature graphic may be displayed without your app icon

REQUIREMENTS

• File format: JPEG | 24-bit PNG (no alpha)
• File size: 1024p x 500px

App Preview / Promo Video

• Highly recommended as it’s very powerful in terms of conversion
• Don’t use any text or copy (localization not available)
• Demonstrate your app’s best features
• Use footage on the device directly
• Use a great poster frame to drive more plays
• Focus on the first seconds of your video
• A/B test your app previews

REQUIREMENTS

• Duration: 15-30sec

App Preview / Promo Video

• Highly recommended as it‘s very powerful in terms of conversion
• Demonstrate your app’s best features
• Focus on the first seconds of your video
• A/B test your app previews

REQUIREMENTS

• Duration: any Youtube video of 30sec – 2min

Reviews & Ratings

• Try to get as many reviews & ratings as possible
• Use a 2-step pop-up notification process to ask your users if they like your app or not. If they do, ask them to rate your app; if they don’t, ask their feedback
• Ask your surroundings, family, friends and anyone you can to rate your app on its launch
• Your app reviews & ratings start from 0 after each app update

Reviews & Ratings

• Try to get as many reviews & ratings as possible
• Use a 2-step pop-up notification process to ask your users if they like your app or not. If they do, ask them to rate your app; if they don’t, ask their feedback
• Ask your surroundings, family, friends and anyone you can to rate your app on its launch
• Encourage users to +1 your app
• Reply to negative reviews

Updates & Releases

• Try updating your app’s ASO monthly
• Monitor your keywords and assets performance to optimize your app’s visibility and conversion
• Track your competitor’s ASO to build your own strategy
• Track app store trends to stay updated to the latest algorithm changes (check blog: apptweak.com/learn)
• Don’t forget to optimize your “What’s New” section and write an engaging copy that includes strong keywords

Updates & Releases

• Try updating your app’s ASO monthly
• Monitor your keywords and assets performance to optimize your app’s visibility and conversion
• Track your competitor’s ASO to build your own strategy
• Track app store trends to stay updated to the latest algorithm changes

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