LIVE: App Growth Expert Answers Biggest ASO and ASA Questions
In this live Q&A session, Ariel answers a wide range of questions about App Store Optimization (ASO) and Apple Search Ads (ASA), offering actionable strategies for app developers to improve visibility, downloads, and campaign performance. Topics include keyword research, localization, campaign scaling, and leveraging social proof.
Hello everyone! Today, I'm excited to dive into a live Q&A session where I'll be answering your questions in real-time. I see a lot of inquiries already coming in, but before we jump into that, I want to share insights on App Store Optimization (ASO) and Apple Search Ads, both of which are crucial for your app's growth.
The Importance of ASO and Apple Search Ads
I've been focusing more on Apple Search Ads lately, especially since we've released some new tools that I’ll be announcing soon. ASO and Apple Search Ads are both essential components of a successful growth strategy. While they don't directly impact each other, they do complement one another in a well-rounded campaign. If you have questions about either topic, feel free to drop them in the chat!
Q&A Session
Let’s get started with your questions!
Joanie: "Hi Ariel, at Google IO 2025, there will be a slide showcasing my app. How can I make the most of this opportunity? Should I mention this in my screenshots?"
Absolutely! This is a fantastic opportunity for social proof. Make sure to highlight your app's appearance at Google IO in your screenshots. Additionally, pitch this news to journalists and on your social media platforms. Let everyone know that Google thinks your app is amazing. This kind of social proof can significantly enhance your app's visibility.
Philip: "Hi Ariel, I just launched my app, Note Drafts, on Monday, and it got 30,000 downloads and 100 written reviews. Do you have any tips for my next steps?"
First off, congratulations on those impressive numbers! My main question is: how did you achieve those 30,000 downloads? Understanding your user acquisition strategy is crucial. If your downloads came from ASO, check which keywords you rank for in the top three. If they came from ads, analyze the user demographics and behaviors to refine your campaigns. Use this knowledge to target bigger keywords or optimize your ASO further.
Iran: "Hi Ariel, I'm about to launch my app in a very specific niche, but most keywords have a traffic score of five. Does this mean ASO is ineffective for us?"
Not necessarily. In niche markets, users may not think to search for your app on the App Store. You have two options: consider using Google Ads and Facebook Ads to reach your audience directly, or target those low-traffic keywords. While they may not seem appealing, ranking for multiple low-traffic keywords can accumulate enough visibility to drive downloads.
Sor: "I’m adding multiple languages to my app and want to update my ASO without losing my current rankings. What’s the best approach?"
This can be tricky. If you're optimizing for new languages, consider moving existing keywords to other localizations to retain your momentum. For example, if you're switching to Spanish, ensure you have a localization that can still index English keywords. Use the keyword performance report to identify which keywords are trending and keep those in your English localization.
Thomas: "Is it true that it takes about six months for ASO to take effect in the App Store?"
Absolutely not! Six months is far too long. I've seen apps start ranking within hours of launch. The key is to monitor your app's performance closely and adjust your strategy based on user engagement and feedback.
Abdullah: "Should I optimize the app store listing for the English US first at launch or complete all listings at once?"
Focus on optimizing for one localization first, ideally English US, as most initial downloads will come from there. Once you have that optimized, you can expand to other localizations.
Leonor: "We plan to start running Apple Search Ads outside the US to gain momentum in less competitive countries. What are your thoughts?"
That's a great strategy! If you can cater to those markets effectively, you’ll likely see downloads. Just ensure you understand the conversion rates in those countries to avoid overspending on ads.
Crypto Crunch: "How can I measure ASA results without using a third-party service?"
You can track your results directly in the Apple dashboard. Look at your downloads and revenue. If both are increasing, your campaign is likely effective.
Prompto: "For a two-word keyword, is it better to split them into two separate keywords or keep them as one?"
Always split them into individual keywords in your keyword list. This maximizes your chances of ranking for both terms.
Conclusion
Thank you all for your fantastic questions! If I didn’t get to your question today, I’ll be answering them in the comments over the next day. Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn or X for any further inquiries about ASO, Apple Search Ads, or Appfigures.
I have another live stream coming up soon where we’ll discuss custom product pages, so stay tuned for that! If you found this session helpful, please give it a like. I’ll see you next time!
✨ This transcript was generated and enhanced by AI and may differ from the original video.
