ASO Optimization Checklist

Use this checklist every time you update your app listing. Each item directly impacts either your search ranking (discoverability) or your conversion rate (getting users to install).

Title Optimization

• ☐ Include your primary keyword in the title
• ☐ Keep your title under 30 characters (Google Play) or 30 characters (App Store)
• ☐ Lead with your brand name or keyword, depending on brand recognition
• ☐ Avoid keyword stuffing — the title should read naturally
• ☐ Test different title variations using A/B testing if available

Short Description (Google Play)

• ☐ Use all 80 characters available
• ☐ Include your top 2-3 keywords naturally
• ☐ Write a compelling hook that explains your app's core value
• ☐ Start with a verb or benefit ("Track your fitness", "Save money on groceries")
• ☐ Avoid generic phrases like "best app ever"

Full Description

• ☐ Include your primary keyword in the first sentence
• ☐ Use all 4,000 characters (Google Play) to maximize keyword coverage
• ☐ Structure with clear sections using bullet points and line breaks
• ☐ Include a features list with keyword-rich descriptions
• ☐ Add a call-to-action at the end ("Download now and start...")
• ☐ Naturally repeat important keywords 3-5 times without spamming
• ☐ Mention your app's category and use case explicitly

Visual Assets

• ☐ App icon — clear, recognizable, no text clutter, stands out at small sizes
• ☐ Screenshots — show your app's best features with captions
• ☐ Upload the maximum number of screenshots allowed (8 for Play Store, 10 for App Store)
• ☐ Feature graphic (Google Play) — eye-catching 1024x500 banner
• ☐ Preview video — 15-30 second demo showing core functionality
• ☐ Screenshots are localized for target markets

Ratings & Reviews

• ☐ Maintain a rating above 4.0 (ideally 4.3+)
• ☐ Respond to negative reviews within 48 hours
• ☐ Use in-app review prompts at positive moments (after completing a task, reaching a milestone)
• ☐ Address common complaints in your update notes
• ☐ Never incentivize reviews — it violates store policies

Keywords (App Store)

• ☐ Use all 100 characters in the keyword field
• ☐ Separate keywords with commas, no spaces after commas
• ☐ Don't repeat words already in your title or subtitle
• ☐ Include singular and plural forms of important terms
• ☐ Use competitor brand names only if your app is a legitimate alternative
• ☐ Update keywords monthly based on ranking data

Localization

• ☐ Localize title and description for your top markets
• ☐ Don't just machine-translate — adapt for local search terms
• ☐ Localize screenshots and visual text
• ☐ Research keywords in each target language separately

Technical Factors

• ☐ Keep your APK/bundle size reasonable (users drop off for large downloads)
• ☐ Maintain a regular update cadence (at least monthly)
• ☐ Fix crashes and ANRs — high crash rates hurt ranking
• ☐ Support the latest OS version and device types
• ☐ Use Android App Bundle (AAB) instead of APK for smaller downloads

Conversion Optimization

• ☐ Your first two screenshots tell a complete story
• ☐ Your icon communicates what the app does at a glance
• ☐ Your short description creates urgency or curiosity
• ☐ You've tested different creative variations
• ☐ Your listing matches user expectations from ads or search

Monitoring

• ☐ Track your keyword rankings weekly
• ☐ Monitor competitor listing changes
• ☐ Re-analyze your listing after every update
• ☐ Track your conversion rate in the store console
• ☐ Set up alerts for rating drops

How to Use This Checklist

1. Run an AppRankr analysis on your current listing
2. Go through each section above and check off completed items
3. Prioritize the unchecked items by impact (title and keywords first, then visuals, then description)
4. Make changes and re-analyze to measure improvement
5. Repeat monthly

Remember: ASO is iterative. Small, consistent improvements compound over time.