There’s a high probability that recently you might have come across the word ‘App Store Optimization’ or its acronym ‘ASO’ when scrolling through a social media platform or the internet. Before we move forward, let’s first get the basics right. Let’s first understand the fundamentals of ASO before we move forward with the rest of the information shared in this article.
What is app store optimization?
App store optimization is the process through which apps in the Google Play Store and iOS app store get visibility and social recognition. With the help of this process, apps can be marketed and promoted better. Additionally, ASO aims to increase the click-through rate of the app; it ensures that the app is ranked higher for more downloads.
The entire process is a strategic work of digital marketing. Once an app is created, it can be published on one of the two mobile operating systems – Google play store and Apple app store. Both these operating systems follow a different ASO approach. The app store optimization approach for android is known as Google play store optimization and the app store optimization approach for iPhone/iOS is known as Apple app store optimization. You can publish and promote your app on both of these app stores or you can focus solely on one.
Is app store optimization the same as SEO?
App store optimization is often tied with SEO (search engine optimization) but in reality, the two are quite different. The biggest difference is the purpose for which both are used. SEO is used to help websites gain traffic, while ASO is used to help apps get more downloads. They both do have some similarities but the overall optimization techniques are different. For the most part, ASO is easier and less complex than SEO. However, both of them have metrics that must never be confused.
Key differences between SEO and ASO
– SEO works to increase website’s traffic/ ASO works to increase app downloads
– Google, Yahoo, Baidu, Yandex, Bing are SEO platforms/ Google play store, and iOS app store are ASO platforms.
– Title tags, H1, H2, H3, keyword density, bounce rate, and page speed make up on-page SEO/ App name, description, keywords, usage, and quality metrics, and uninstall rate make up on-page ASO.
– Links, anchor text, and social signals make up off-page SEO/ Backlinks, ratings, reviews, and download stats make up off-page ASO.
What separates Google play store optimization from iOS app store optimization?
The most crucial aspect that separates Android app store optimization from iPhone app store optimization is the publishing process. Both Google and Apple have created their own set of rules when it comes to publishing apps. Some of these rules overlap but there are clear differences.
Both Google and Apple have a publishing review process that ensures that no low-quality or spam app gets published on the store. This review process is longer for Apple app store search optimization as compared to Play store optimization but app publishers should keep 3 days in mind when submitting an app for review. After the reviewing process is complete and an app gets approval, it gets live on the respective stores within 24 hours.
Apart from the review process, text and keywords play an important part in separating play store ASO from iOS app store optimization. Keywords are important for both the processes but Google takes all textual elements into account as compared to Apple. This is mainly because Google has pretty much the same algorithm for its play store, just like its search engine.
Keyword repetition is encouraged in Google Play optimization but you should never repeat your keywords in iPhone app store optimization.
Here is a tentative list of ranking factors for both the app stores:
Ranking factors for Apple app store search optimization
- App name (Title)
- App URL
- App subtitle
- Downloads
- Ratings & Reviews
- Keyword field
- Engagement
- In-app purchases
- Updates
- Technical and usability factors
Ranking factors for Google Play store search optimization
- App Title
- Short description
- Long description
- Downloads
- Ratings & Reviews
- Keyword placement
- Engagement
- In-app purchases
- Updates
- Technical and usability factors
Now that you have a better understanding of the fundamentals of ASO, let’s move forward.
Let’s now uncover the past, present, and future ASO app store optimization in the GCC region and more importantly in Saudi Arabia.
The Past
Here’s a brief history of how the app stores began:
The launch of the Apple app store
The launch of the apple app store occurred on the 10th of July, 2008. This was a revolutionary move as this was the turning point for software developers and technology enthusiasts. The launch of the Apple app store brought a dynamic change in the world. All aspects of society, from culture to entertainment saw a massive and profitable change. This is where app development came into being.
The launch of the Google play store
Following suit, Google launched its Play Store on the 22nd of October, 2008. Initially, it was known as the Android market and revolutionized the Android operating system. On March 6th, 2012, Google decided to bring the Android market and Google services under one name and they launched Google Play. Since then Google Play has expanded to now offer games, books, and even music to its users globally.
The Present
Presently, there are around 3.6 million apps available on the Google Play store and there are 2.7 million apps available on the Apple app store. Some of the apps available are hybrid, which means that they are available on both app stores. An important thing to note here is that 70% of users reported that they use app store search as their preferred method for finding new apps. This establishes how important Apple app store optimization and Google app store optimization are for the success of any app. Most users don’t scroll through the app stores to find their desired apps. They settle for the top five search results. This further proves that the higher an app ranks the more users it will have and vice versa.
The future
Now it’s time to move towards the future of app store optimization. Since mobile apps are in-demand, there’s a rise in app store optimization services. More and more app store optimization companies are now entering the Saudi and Middle Eastern markets. This is fuelled even more by the inclination of the Arab youth towards mobile apps. Business owners in KSA, UAE and Kuwait, and rest of other Middle East countries Bahrain, Oman and Qatar are turning towards mobile apps to reach their business goals. However, not every ASO company operates the same way. Many ASO marketing agencies provide low-quality app store optimization services that prove little to no good at all. This brings us to our question: Who provides top-rated ASO services in Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh?
ASO – App Store Optimization made simple with Bytes Future
Say hello to Bytes Future, an ASO marketing agency that provides reliable, robust, and affordable app store optimization services in Saudi Arabia. With offices in Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh, Bytes future enables business owners from all over the GCC region to embark on an ‘app-tastic journey’. Bytes Future is an app store optimization company that understands the complexities and technicalities of making an app rank higher in both Google Play Store and Apple app store and therefore, provides app store optimization services that are tailored according to the varied needs of its diverse clientele. If you are searching for a reliable app store optimization agency that offers both reliability and convenience, you should opt for Bytes Future. Apps are here to stay and they are here to stay for good, so you might as well make full use of the best app store optimization services.