7 Ways App Store Optimization will change in the Near Future [2016]

  1. App indexing will greatly influence app marketing & ASO

Does app indexing will become more relevant in coming years? Of course, yes. App indexing is going to make a serious impact on App Store Optimization in coming years. Recently, the CEO of Apptentive opined that the power of deep linking is going to be unveiled. He added “we have just started to analyze how deep linking will influence the app marketing industry globally”.

A notable change bring in by deep linking is app indexing. Let’s see, what the term app linking denotes. App indexing helps people to find and install apps on their iOS and Android smartphones during a web search result. Deep linking enhances app indexing. As search results are available within mobile apps, mobile web results are going to replace with mobile app search results in near future.

This transition clearly indicates that app indexing is going to influence app marketing and App Store Optimization. As ASO become more relevant, app developers will begin to explore more possibilities of indexing in their apps.

Read Also: How is App Store Optimization Different from SEO ?

  1. Ratings will become crucial

Many well-known ASO services providing companies have recommended that marketers should focus more on reputation management.

It’s clear that a user look for ratings and reviews before downloading app. App ratings/ reviews have not that much importance on the app store results in the past years, but it is going to make a huge impact in 2016. So, app publishers should focus on implementing new tactics to get positive reviews for their apps.

Utilization of tools such as LaunchKit, Sensor Tower will help you to analyze user feedback and reviews in the app stores. This will help you to find the right keywords to target in App Store Optimization.

  1. Real-time mobile analytics tools become more relevant

If you want to provide better services for your customers you should understand the needs of customers. Real – time analytics tools are useful in finding such needs. Experts believe that the role of real – time analytics tools will become more relevant in ASO in 2016. You can see the evolution of analytics tools in terms of ease of integration and precise reporting.

This will help you trace what all App Store Optimization methods are effective. You can customize your app according to the wishes of the customers.

Real- time mobile analytics tools such as AppAnnie and Sensor Tower will help marketers to examine the tactics of their competitors.

  1. An increase in Digital Marketing Agencies focuses ASO services

Usually marketers do not have much technical knowledge. Experts predict that marketers will recognize the relevance of App Store Optimization is as critical as SEO is for websites.

You will witness a considerable increase in the number of Digital Marketing Agencies providing ASO services in 2016. Agencies strive to stay ahead in the competition by offering crucial ASO tactics. This will help app publishers to gain maximum downloads.

  1. Businesses show more interest in real- time A/B testing on mobile

It‘s evident that A/ B testing has proved successful for web search results for years. Now developers begin to experiment A/B testing in the mobile app realm as well. Testing experts feel confident in the possibilities of A/B testing on mobile and they believe that standards will be defined for testing in upcoming years, especially in 2016.

Currently, developers are taking advantages of Google Experiments in conducting A/B testing. It helps them to identify how descriptions, icons and keywords can influence the performance of an app.

If businesses are convinced, they can implement ASO tactics successfully as they accomplished in their SEO strategies, definitely they will show more interest on real- time mobile A/B testing as well.

  1. More relevance for app description (than ever before)

It is predicted that the app description quality will become critical for ASO in 2016. Many business analysts anticipate that Apple is going to follow Google’s lead in 2016. So, developers should pay more attention while creating app descriptions.

Keep in mind; Google and Apple always give importance to readability. So try to write attractive and user friendly app descriptions.

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  1. Personalization and In- app engagement will become more classy

It is true that ads are relevant to get more downloads for an app. But in – app engagement and personalization will become more significant and valuable in upcoming years.

According to a business analyst, in – app engagement and personalization are very effective to engage customers and it is cheaper as well. As brands have more control over the message, customers’ trust on their products also increases.

You might know that app ranking is based on user retention in the app stores. It‘s because of the crowded nature of the app stores.

Push notifications, virtual currency are some of the features that boost the engagement in your app.

How is App Store Optimization Different from SEO?

Some facts on ASO and SEO

App store optimization, or ASO is in simple terms, a growing and effective method of building visibility of your app and conversion for your mobile app featured in app stores such as Google Play and Apple App Store.

Optimization of your app is important as no app store offers any aid to improve the visibility of apps.

You might know that many app developers think that there is no difference between app store optimization and SEO. Most business people know only about SEO and that’s why it happens.

We are going to explore the major differences that may help you understand how app store optimization is entirely different from search engine optimization.

If you find an app developing company works to list out popular keywords on web search, then they are on the wrong path. They have to optimize their app for searches specific to app stores, which would be entirely different from the popular searches in the web. Optimizing for web search will hardly give you any results.

Do you think is it sensible to target web search keywords where search for app store is needed? Or just think how people search for apps.

Criteria for people to discover and Install apps

A recent study on mobile apps reveals “majority of app users find apps by searching in app stores”. The second possibility for finding an app is via friends, as they drive people to make searches.

It’s obvious that mobile users are discovering and installing apps through the app stores.

If you want to build an optimized app page, you should know the basic difference between app store’s search and web search.

To be precise, the purpose of the user is the major difference.

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Some facts on App store and Web results

It’s clear that users expect one kind of results while searching the app stores and a set of different results during web search. Interestingly Apple and Google know this user psychology very well. For instance, if you search for a particular word in a web browser and in Apple’s App Store, results would be completely different for both.

To understand the search behaviour of users in app stores, App Store Intelligence software may help you.

Significant search coverage is important

Relevant coverage is important for changing your app’s targeted audience into installs and users. You have to optimize your app’s page with relevant phrases and keywords in order to get your apps discovered in app stores. Like that relevant coverage will give you results.

It’s obvious that your app will drive more installs if you can increase conversion rates. If your app’s visibility is higher for a specific search, it shows that your app is relevant as per the app store ranking algorithms of both Google and Apple.

It’s noted that Google considers conversion rates for their web search ranking algorithms. Like that if your app has an increase conversion rates among your clients’ portfolios result in higher rankings in Google Play.

For example, suppose there is an app on exercise which has badges to different running challenges in the app store. When someone searches for a game on free runner and if the exercise app were in those results, the rate of conversion would be less, since runner as a game has no connection to running as an exercise

In this case, Google consider that app store search for the running app is not significant for searches connected to game on free runner.

Ensure what to optimize!

Recommended Read: Popular Myths of App Store Optimization

You can do app listing effectively only if you know what to choose for optimization. In order to get maximum downloads for your app; the only app store optimization tactic you can adopt is relevant coverage of app store search.

Why Use App Store Optimization Services?

You would have developed an app out of passion or for business. You either want to make money or recognition. But, the app world is crowded with thousands of apps uploaded daily to app stores like Google play and Apple App Store. More than 60% of the apps are discovered via app store search.

So, how do you make your app visible?

App Store Optimization!

This is the single biggest reason to use App Store Optimization Services for your app.

If you just develop an app and upload it in an app store, it would remain as one of the zombies. Most of the users choose the app based on number of downloads, description, reviews and ratings.

You would have developed an app out of passion or for business. You either want to make money or recognition. But, the app world is crowded with thousands of apps uploaded daily to app stores like Google play and Apple App Store. More than 60% of the apps are discovered via app store search.

Why not Simply Fake It?

Faking reviews and gaming app store seems to be a practice that is getting used more broadly. But just like websites getting blacklisted for black-hat SEO, such apps would also get affected.

For instance, both the Apple App Store and Google App Store have made multiple changes to their algorithms over the past years. Also, while ratings and reviews definitely affect an app’s ranking, it can be difficult for an app developer to solely optimize his app.

Read More: How to Kickoff App Store Optimization the Right Way 

There are numerous advantages to using App Store Optimization services – the first thing being the usage of smart tools. There are plenty of optimization tools available in the market like App Mind, Mobile DevHQ, SearchMan SEO and Apptweak. Judicious use of these services would bring you more revenue via downloads.

Experience in handling several apps is another advantage you get to enjoy by employing App Store Optimization services. It doesn’t matter how much you have learned from the internet on ASO, actual working experience has no substitute.

Experienced hands also give you another benefit – you save time, and can make use of available time in the best way. And time is money.

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Definitely, by making use of such expertise, your app will get a lot of reach and downloads. Another major advantage is that you will be able to provide a different perspective to your app’s presentation.

If you are working on ASO of your app, there might be things you would remain unaware of. But by hiring App Store Optimization Services, you don’t need to worry about the technical side and can concentrate more on ensuring that the right message is sent across to the user.

So, make the right choice and enjoy the sweet taste of success.

How to Kickoff App Store Optimization the Right Way

For App Store Optimization (ASO), there are two types of people we have to deal with: the first group consists of people who have no idea about app store optimization and the second group who thinks that app store optimization is basically like search engine optimization. The opinion of second group is partly true but a bit more complex, deep and interesting.

The real difference between App Store Optimization and search engine optimization is after users enter a website or an app page. Once that’s done, the process ends for search engine optimization. SEO is done by carefully selecting and promoting keywords that are used for making the content appear among top search results whenever relevant.

But, in the case of App Store Optimization, the purpose is not to generate app-page traffic but making sure that our app is reached to relevant and loyal users who not only visit the page but also download it to use it on a regular basis. And it is more about conversion rather than traffic.To optimize for app stores, one needs to have special attention to various aspects during the potential user’s visit. For creating a compelling, creative and informative experience, these are the key steps to be followed:

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For creating a compelling, creative and informative experience, these are the key steps to be followed:

1. Keyword Research

This step is similar to Search Engine Optimization. The content should contain relevant terms that lead potential users to the app. For this purpose, you can make use of certain tools such as App Annie and Sensor Tower. The real purpose is to create an appropriate balance between traffic and difficulty.

2. App Description

For generating the best results in Google and Apple’s algorithm, keyword research can be of great help. But we cannot force them to read the app description and thus download the app. Hence it would be a bad idea to stuff the content with keywords and create a perplexing app description. App description should be brief, relevant, smart and attractive.

3. App Logo

The icon used should do more than just give a clear idea on what the app is all about. It has to be attractive and grab users’ attention. You can try innovative methods to make your app logo stand out. For instance, you can try creating a 3D effect.

Your logo is the first thing potential users notice. Make it catchy and you win their attention.

4. Screenshots

Screenshots must simply be considered as an advertising platform. Brands that are less popular can use screenshots as an opportunity. Rather than using a dull and simple banner it is better to use screenshots to tell a story.

5. Video Trailer

Video trailers are very much useful and handy. It gives users a brief idea about what a product actually does and how creative its makers are. At the same time, the users will be entertained and informed.

6. Competitive Research

One should be closely aware of their competitors. It is always good to have an eye on your competitors, especially about the techniques and possibly ignored keywords. The app page must be updated according to one’s common sense and existing measuring tools. For becoming an app store superstar, one should try something different and unique.

7. Reviews and 5 Star Rankings

It is obvious that users will carefully examine the previous user’s experience regarding the app. Review section is prominent and visible in Google Play. One should make sure that they immediately reply to negative comments and also highlight the positive reviews.

8. App Name

The name of the app should be informative, catchy, unique and memorable. Also, title should contain keywords. One of the biggest challenges in App Store Optimization is to choose the right name for your app. Always remember how keywords can influence ranking rather than make it funny and entertaining.

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9. Category

Ranking for a specific arena is always influenced by the choice of category. Based on the level of competition and generated revenue, choose the category most relevant to your app. As part of iOS 8, Apple introduced subcategories that divide app store into micro-segments and thus allow the developers to rank accordingly.

10. Price

If you plan on putting a price on your app, always be sure that the price tag makes sense to your customers. Launching special sales and offers during the holidays are good ideas that can boost your App Store Optimization.

11. Localization

App marketers and developers must speak the user’s language. App description should be appropriate for the preferred audiences.

12. Analytics

After creating title, screenshots and app description, one should constantly measure and optimize results. Add creative content, change keyword and app description for the best results.

All the above steps can be very much essential for app store optimization. Basically, ASO is a trial and error business. Always try to create an emotional shopping experience for your users and thus seek appropriate results.