App Store Keyword Research

Find the right keywords for your iOS app. Discover search terms your users are typing, analyze the competition, and identify ranking opportunities across 30+ countries.

Why Keyword Research Matters for ASO

Keyword research is the foundation of any successful App Store Optimization strategy. If you optimize for keywords nobody searches for, even a perfectly crafted listing won't drive downloads. If you target keywords that are too competitive, your app will be buried on page 10.

The best keyword strategy finds the sweet spot: terms with meaningful search volume that your app can realistically rank for. ASO Boost's keyword research tool gives you the data you need to make these decisions confidently.

Key Metrics to Understand

Search Popularity

A score from 0-100 indicating how frequently users search for a keyword. Higher means more searches. Apple uses a similar internal metric. A popularity score of 50+ typically indicates meaningful search traffic worth targeting.

Difficulty Score

Measures how hard it is to rank for a keyword on a 0-100 scale. Scores below 30 are easy, 30-55 moderate, 55-75 hard, and above 75 very hard. New apps should start with low-difficulty keywords to build initial visibility.

Competition Count

The number of apps returned when searching for a keyword. More results means more competition. Look for keywords with fewer than 200 results for the best ranking opportunities, especially for new apps.

Opportunity Score

A composite metric that combines search popularity and difficulty to identify the best keyword opportunities. High opportunity scores indicate keywords where you can get meaningful traffic without facing overwhelming competition.

How to Do App Store Keyword Research

1. Brainstorm Seed Keywords

List 10-20 terms related to your app's core function, features, and target audience. Include variations and synonyms. Think about what your users would type into the App Store search bar.

2. Expand with Research

Enter your seed keywords into ASO Boost to discover related keywords, see their popularity and difficulty scores, and find variations you might not have considered.

3. Filter by Opportunity

Sort your keyword list by opportunity score. Focus on high-popularity, low-difficulty keywords first. These are your best bets for quick ranking wins that drive real downloads.

4. Assign Keywords to Your Listing

Place your #1 keyword in the title, your #2 keyword in the subtitle, and fill the keyword field with your remaining targets. Track positions over time to measure the impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I research keywords for the App Store?

To research App Store keywords, start by typing your app's main topic into the App Store search bar and noting autocomplete suggestions. Then use a keyword research tool like ASO Boost to get search volume, difficulty scores, and competition data for each keyword. Focus on long-tail keywords (3+ words) with high volume and low difficulty.

What is keyword difficulty in ASO?

Keyword difficulty in ASO measures how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword. It's calculated based on factors like the number and strength of competing apps, their ratings, download counts, and how well their listings are optimized. A low difficulty score (0-30) means the keyword is relatively easy to rank for, while a high score (70-100) means strong competition.

How many keywords can I put in my App Store listing?

Apple gives you three text fields for keywords: your app title (30 characters), subtitle (30 characters), and a hidden keyword field (100 characters). Additionally, your description (4000 characters) is indexed for search. In total, you should aim to target 10-20 distinct keywords across these fields, prioritized by importance.

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