When optimizing your app on the Google Play Store, you can base your ASO work following this checklist:
To increase your visibility:
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 if possible)
- Localize your app title for each targeted language
- Characters limit: 50
Short description
- Should be used as complement of the app name
- Include strong keywords
- Don’t repeat keywords used in the app name
- Characters limit: 80
Long description - indexed & high weight on the algorithm
- Use all available characters
- Repeat targeted keywords (+/- 15) 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
Reviews & ratings - heavy weight on the algorithm
- Try to get as many reviews & ratings as possible
- Make sure to keep a high average rating
- Reply to negative reviews
- 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
To increase your conversions:
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
Screenshots
- Very important in terms of conversion
- Use all available 8 screenshots slots
- Make your screenshots high-res and well-designed
- Show off 1 feature per screenshot - you can also combine both your 1st and 2d screenshot making it into one
- 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.
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
- Duration: any Youtube video of 30sec - 2min
As final tips, don’t forget to:
Monitor competition (AppTweak can effectively help you track the ASO strategy and Search Ads strategy of your competitors!)
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 our blog for the latest news & hacks)