Cracking the Code: App Store Optimization for Apps Struggling with Downloads

Introduction to App Store Optimization

• App Store Optimization (ASO) is a way to tell Apple and Google what your app does.

• It's not about manipulating the algorithms, but rather about optimizing your app's visibility in search results.

"ASO is a way to tell Apple and Google what your app does."

Importance of ASO for Apps with No Downloads

• Even apps with zero downloads need to tell the algorithm what the apps don't know.

• The goal is to appear in search results, as a majority of app store traffic comes from search.

"You want to appear in search results if you think about it, Apple and Google spend so much money, so much effort to driving people into the App Store."

Using Ratings as Currency

• Ratings are an important factor in ASO.

• More ratings indicate trust and popularity, which can boost your app's rankings.

"Ratings are the currency, more ratings is more better for the algorithm."

Strategies for Apps with No Downloads

• The idea behind apps with no downloads is to focus on keywords that can still be included in search results, even without any downloads.

• However, without downloads, you won't be able to get ratings, which are crucial for higher rankings in search results.

• It's important to start with low competition keywords and gradually build momentum.

"One of the biggest mistakes I see is that developers just aim so high for the most popular keyword, competing with Instagram, for example."

Keyword Opportunities and Using Your App's Name

• Keyword opportunities are keywords where the algorithm has decided to rank apps that don't have those keywords in their name.

• You can target these keywords by using them in your app's name, even if the competition has more ratings.

• This small trick of using the keyword in your name can help you rank higher in search results.

"I think a lot of people don't think about how important it is to use the name for keywords, which is mind-boggling in 2023."

Finding Keyword Opportunities

• Keyword opportunities are found by identifying keywords that competitors aren't targeting, but still have a decent search volume.

• Tools like Keyword Inspector and App Figures can help in finding these keyword opportunities.

• It's important to think creatively and consider how users might search for your app on the App Store.

"That's why this works so well, there aren't that many keyword opportunities."

Importance of Keyword Teardowns

• Keyword teardowns provide valuable insights into finding keyword opportunities for different types of apps.

• Keyword teardowns can help app developers understand how to optimize their keywords effectively.

"I've been able to find keyword opportunities almost in every type of app that I've looked at or helped with over the last few years."

Using App Figures for Keyword Research

• App Figures is a favorite tool for finding keyword opportunities and conducting app optimization.

• It provides a comprehensive view of keywords, search volumes, popularity scores, and competitor keywords reports.

"App Figures gives you everything you need to know in a really easy way to see it and very, very quickly too."

Keyword Inspector and Competitor Analysis

• Keyword Inspector is a tool that shows which apps are using specific keywords.

• It highlights the keywords in a list so that you can see which apps are using them.

• This can help you understand the competition and identify keywords that are highly competitive.

• By analyzing the keywords used by successful apps, you can gain insights into effective strategies.

"It's actually really cool to see the competitiveness is really high...you can find all the keywords that your competitors are ranking in that you're not ranking in."

Utilizing Competitor Keywords

• The "Compare Keywords" feature allows you to analyze the top five results from Keyword Inspector.

• It compiles all the keywords from those apps, helping you identify keyword gaps to target.

• By sorting and filtering the results, you can identify popular keywords worth targeting.

• This can be a valuable strategy for new or struggling apps to gain traction.

"Find keyword gaps...how can I find all the keywords that my competitors are ranking in that I'm not ranking in."

Importance of Targeted Keywords

• Targeting smaller, more specific keywords can be a great starting point for beginners.

• Lower competition for these keywords often means higher intent from users.

• Understanding your audience and their needs is crucial for effective keyword optimization.

"The deeper down the funnel that you go from a keyword perspective...the smaller the keyword, the higher the intent."

Keyword Optimization and Brand Identity

• Keyword optimization alone is not enough for success. Other factors, such as brand awareness and competition, play a role.

• Optimizing for keywords is particularly important for app categories with less variety or brandless options.

• Ratings and reviews are vital for App Store optimization, as they contribute to ranking and visibility.

"Putting that aside...ratings are the currency to App Store optimization."

App Store Optimization and Downloads

• Utilizing App Masters provides comprehensive insights and tools for optimizing downloads and visibility.

• The app's estimated downloads, ad networks, ratings, and more are all available in one convenient place.

• Understanding download and rating metrics helps gauge app performance and effectiveness of optimization efforts.

"I love how you can have everything in one spot...you can see that this app is getting about 53,000 downloads."

Optimization

• Optimization is a key factor in improving the visibility and downloads of struggling apps.

• It involves implementing specific strategies to boost the app's ranking and organic traffic.

• With the ever-increasing number of apps in crowded app stores, it is crucial to optimize your app to get noticed.

"Optimization is the key to standing out in crowded app stores and driving organic traffic to your app."