The Ultimate Guide to Keyword Research for App Store Optimization

The Ultimate Guide to Keyword Research for App Store Optimization

As you already know, keyword research is important in ASO because it helps your app reach your target audience. Including relevant, popular keywords in your metadata can increase your app's visibility and attract more users.

So, how can you do it? This blog will answer that question by compiling everything you need to know about keyword research. I've also included insights I've gained from working over seven years as an App Store Optimization specialist at ASOBuddy. Let's get started!

Types of Keywords

There are four main types of keywords you need to keep an eye on for App Store Optimization:

Short-tail keywords

• Short-tail keywords typically consist of one or two words. • They are broad and generic, with a high volume of search traffic. • Due to their popularity, short-tail keywords are highly competitive and can be difficult to rank for.

Long-tail keywords

• Long-tail keywords are longer phrases, usually consisting of three or more words. • These keywords are more specific, targeted, and have greater relevance to users. • As they are less popular, long-tail keywords are often easier to rank for than short-tail keywords.

Branded keywords

• Branded keywords include the name of an app or company. • These keywords are specific to an app and are used by people who are already familiar with the brand. • As they are unique to your brand, branded keywords can be easier to rank for than non-branded keywords.

Non-branded keywords

• Non-branded keywords do not include the name of an app or company. • These keywords are more generic and are used by people who are not yet familiar with your brand. • Due to their popularity and competition, non-branded keywords can be more difficult to rank for than branded keywords.

How to Conduct Keyword Research for ASO

Here is what we do at ASOBuddy, and after 7 years and working with 250+ apps and 100+ games, we believe this is the best approach.

We start by brainstorming and jotting down every keyword we think is relevant to the app. Then we do thorough competitive research. This usually shortens our list and shows us the areas in which we can capitalize. The next step is to analyze the volume, keyword difficulty, and chance score. We use tools like App Tweak and Mobile action for this. This leaves us with the keyword that are most relevant to the app, which will increase visibility and downloads. Then we create a strategy around it. Try this and you will be amazed by the results.

Keyword Research Tools

There are various tools available for conducting keyword research for App Store Optimization. The two main tools are Google Play Console and Apple App Store Connect.

Google Play Console

Here's how to use Google Play Console for keyword research

  1. Navigate to "Google Play Console".
  2. Check the search queries report to find popular search terms and phrases.
  3. Use the "Keyword Planner" tool to measure search volume.
  4. Analyze what your competitors are using.
  5. Use the "Suggested Keywords" feature to discover new keywords.
  6. Apple App Store Connect

    Here's how to use Apple App Store Connect for keyword research

    1. Analyze your app's search results to find popular search terms and phrases.
    2. Use the "Search Ads" feature to discover new keyword ideas.
    3. Measure search volume.
    4. Look at the top charts to see what keywords your competitors are using.
    5. Try the "Suggested Keywords" feature to find new keywords.
    6. Other tools

      Other third-party tools like Apptweak, App Annie, Sensor Tower, and Mobile Action can also be useful for keyword research.

      Remember, It's important to cross-check the volume and difficulty score in different platforms and not depend on only one tool. At ASOBuddy, we have worked with over 350 clients and have found this to be a good practice.

      Keyword Placement and Optimization

      Now that you have all the relevant keywords, let's explore how to use them effectively. Keyword placement is a crucial aspect of optimization, and it's important to use your keywords in the app's title, subtitle, description, and metadata. This will attract visitors to your product page. However, it's crucial to avoid keyword stuffing, which can be perceived as spammy by both users and search engines.

      At ASOBuddy, we optimize app descriptions by creating two types of descriptions: search engine-friendly and user-friendly descriptions. We've worked with over 250+ apps and 100+ games, and have discovered that both types have their own advantages. Search engine-friendly descriptions are focused on adding keywords strategically, to increase the keyword volume without being flagged as spam. These types of descriptions make it easier to rank. However, we've found it challenging to drive downloads with these descriptions, as they can be difficult to understand. That's where user-friendly descriptions come in. These descriptions are easier for readers to comprehend and have been found to drive a lot of downloads. However, they won't help you rank. After years of experimentation, we've found that the ideal description is a mix of both types. We recommend giving this a try; the results may surprise you.

      Tracking

      Tracking ASO performance is crucial for the success of your app. It allows you to understand what is and isn't working, so pay attention to metrics such as app store rankings, impressions, clicks, installs, and user engagement. Make sure to make changes, if necessary, based on your analysis.

      Final Thoughts

      We have covered all the important aspects of keyword research for app store optimization in this blog.

      One final thought that I will leave you with is to track your keywords regularly. The trends of app store optimization keywords constantly change, so you need to stay ahead if you want your app to succeed. While there is no set duration for when the keywords need to be updated, at ASOBuddy, we have found that a two-week window is a good timeframe. So, check how your keywords are doing every two weeks. If there is a drop in downloads, update your keywords. If not, leave them as they are and come back later.

      If you find the process overwhelming or struggle to find time to do this, then seek out an expert like ASOBuddy who provides complete [app store optimization services](http://asobuddy.com/ "app store optimization services provider"). We wish you the very best!!!