An ASO checklist for indie app developers
Seven steps, in the order the work happens: getting found, then getting downloaded.
The checklist
- List the phrases. 20 to 40 searches people would type to find an app like yours.
- Measure them in each country you sell in: your rank, estimated search demand, and how strong the top apps are.
- Pick a name and subtitle that hold your most valuable phrases, within 30 characters each, and check the name is available in App Store Connect.
- Fill the keyword field with the next phrases. Separate terms with commas and no spaces after commas; spaces inside multiword phrases are fine. Leave out what your name and subtitle already cover.
- Localize the name, subtitle and keywords for each market, from what people search there.
- Upload with the next version, and keep the old texts so you can put them back.
- Measure again after a week or two: your ranks country by country, and in App Store Connect’s App Analytics your impressions, product page views, conversion rate and downloads. Then repeat with what you learned.
Beyond the text
Apple says search also weighs user behavior such as downloads, ratings and reviews. Good screenshots, a clear product page and a well-timed rating prompt help the people your new listing brings in.