App Store Optimization Insights
Data-driven research, practical guides, and strategies for ranking higher on the App Store and Google Play.
iOS App Title Length: What Fits, What Gets Cut, and How to Use Every Character
Apple gives you 30 characters for your iOS app title length. Learn what gets truncated in search, how to use the subtitle, and the ASO rules for 2026.
What Is ASO? App Store Optimization Explained
65-70% of app discoveries happen through search. ASO is how you show up. The 4 ranking inputs, 5 optimization pillars, and first steps for iOS and Google Play.
Apple Search Ads: The Complete Guide for Indie Developers
Set up Apple Search Ads on $5-50/day: Basic vs Advanced campaigns, the 5 metrics that matter (CPT, CPI, TTR, CR, SP), and why good ASO cuts your ad costs.
The Complete ASO Checklist for Launching Your App in 2026
23-step ASO checklist from pre-launch keyword research to your first month of rank tracking. Copy-paste ready for iOS and Android.
The Best Free ASO Tools for Indie Developers in 2026
The best free ASO tools in 2026 — 12 options compared for keyword research, rank tracking, and competitor analysis, with honest notes on limits.
Best ASO Tools for App Store Optimization (2026)
Sensor Tower ($25K/yr), AppTweak ($83/mo), App Radar ($39/mo), and 6 more ASO tools rated on keyword quality, rank tracking, competitor analysis, and value for money.
How to Audit Your App Store Listing (With a Free ASO Score Tool)
6-area ASO audit you can finish in 30 minutes: metadata, visuals, ratings, keyword coverage, and competitive positioning. Includes a free scoring tool.
Mobile App Marketing: The Complete Playbook
3-phase app marketing playbook (pre-launch, launch week, post-launch) for $0-500/month. Organic search drives 50-70% of lifetime installs — start there.
How to Find Low-Competition App Store Keywords That Actually Rank
Step-by-step method to find app store keywords with under 40 difficulty, real search volume, and weak competition — using only free tools.
App Store Ranking Tracker: How to Track Keyword Rankings
Daily rank tracking catches algorithm changes and competitor moves early. Learn the 4 trend states (climbing, stable, declining, new) and what action each requires.
ASO vs SEO: What's the Difference (and Why You Need Both)
ASO vs SEO compared across 16 dimensions — from 160-char iOS constraints to visual ranking factors. If you know SEO, here's exactly what transfers and what doesn't.
ASO Keyword Research: The Complete Guide for 2026
3 metrics that matter (search popularity, difficulty, opportunity), 6 keyword sources, and the SP 35-55 sweet spot that yields 2,300-7,600 daily impressions for indie apps.
The Indie Developer's Guide to App Store Optimization
65-70% of app installs come from search. Target keywords with SP 35-55 and difficulty under 35 — the sweet spot where indie apps can rank without a marketing budget.
App Store Keywords: How to Find and Choose the Right Ones
4-step keyword process: brainstorm, expand via autocomplete, check competition, and prioritize. Includes real examples — 'meditation timer' (diff 12) vs 'meditation' (diff 80+).
iOS App Store vs Google Play: How ASO Differs Between Platforms
iOS gives you 160 indexed characters. Google Play gives you 4,110. iOS weights download velocity, Android weights install count. Here's what to optimize differently.
Spy on Competitors' App Store Keywords (and Find Gaps)
3-step competitor keyword analysis: choose competitors, extract their keyword footprint, and sort gaps into quick wins, stretch goals, and monitor-only buckets.
A Practical Guide to App Store Metadata Optimization
iOS: 30-char title + 30-char subtitle + 100-char keyword field. Android: 30-char title + 80-char short + 4,000-char long description. Field-by-field optimization for both.
App Rank Tracking: How to Track App Rankings
How app store rank trackers work, the 4 trend categories that drive action, and companion metrics (velocity, competitor movement) that tell the full story.