ASO checklist & keyword tool
For app teams who want a clear plan for improving their Apple App Store and Google Play listings, with a keyword and checklist tool to set priorities.
- Covers title, subtitle, keywords, screenshots and ratings
- Keyword shortlist grouped by search intent
- Discovery call and site audit before any changes go live
Quick answer
The best app store optimization tools cover four jobs: keyword research, metadata editing, competitor tracking and rating monitoring for each store you publish on. The right choice depends on your app category, team size and whether you target Apple's App Store, Google Play or both. Match each tool's features to your checklist.
ASO checklist & keyword tool 0/11
01Process
How to use this
5 steps. You always know what's next.
The same path for every engagement.
1About 5 minutes (estimate)
Pick the store and app to review
Choose Apple's App Store, Google Play or both, then open the live listing for one app. You provide the app name and store links. You receive a clear scope for the checklist run.
2About 20-30 minutes (estimate)
Score your listing against the checklist
Go through each item, from title and subtitle to screenshots and ratings, and mark it done or not done. You provide current listing text and visuals. You receive a score that shows whether foundations are missing.
3About 30-60 minutes (estimate)
Build a keyword shortlist by intent
Group candidate terms by what people want, such as comparing, solving a problem or finding a brand. You provide your seed terms. You receive a shortlist ready to place in the title, subtitle and description.
41-2 weeks, depending on release cycles (estimate)
Fix the highest-weight gaps first
Update the title and subtitle or short description before smaller items. You provide approval for edits in your developer accounts. You receive a prioritized to-do list.
5About 1 hour per month (estimate)
Re-check monthly and ask for help if needed
Repeat the checklist each month and note changes in ratings and visibility. If you want support, contact our team for a discovery call and audit before any changes go live.
02Overview
Why this matters
App store optimization (ASO) is the practice of improving an app's listing so it appears in more relevant store searches and convinces more visitors to install. The best app store optimization tools support that work by showing which keywords to target, how your listing compares with similar apps, and how ratings change over time.
Tools only help when you know what to fix first. A checklist gives you that order. Without one, teams often spend weeks on screenshots while the title and subtitle still miss the words people actually search.
Consider a budgeting app titled only with its brand name. Store search has little to match on, so the app may appear mainly for people who already know it. Adding one relevant term to the title, such as "budget planner", and a second keyword in the subtitle can widen the searches the listing is eligible for. Whether that improves installs depends on competition and on how well the listing converts.
Ratings and screenshots matter after discovery. A visitor who finds your app still decides in seconds whether to install, based on the icon, first screenshots and review score.
This page pairs a checklist with a keyword shortlist so you can score one listing, rank the gaps and choose tools that match real needs. If you want help acting on the results, see our app store optimization (ASO) service.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question?
Ask us directly. We reply with honest next steps, even if that means we're not the right fit.
Ask our teamWhat are the best app store optimization tools?
The best app store optimization tools depend on which jobs you need done: keyword research, metadata editing, competitor tracking and rating monitoring. Match each tool's features to your checklist, your app category and the stores you publish on. A small team with one app often needs fewer features than a team managing many apps across several countries.
Do I need a paid tool to do ASO?
No, you can start ASO without a paid tool by using the checklist on this page and the stores' own listing pages. Review your title, subtitle, keywords, screenshots and ratings by hand, then group keywords by search intent. Paid tools mainly save time once you track many keywords or competitors.
How long does it take to improve an app store listing?
Scoring a listing against the checklist typically takes under an hour, and building a keyword shortlist takes roughly another 30-60 minutes. These are estimates. Changes to title, subtitle and screenshots can be made quickly, but how long search positions take to respond depends on your category and competition, and results are not guaranteed.
How much does ASO cost?
ASO cost depends on scope: how many apps, which stores, how many languages or locales, and how competitive your category is. A one-time listing review costs less effort than ongoing keyword tracking and testing. Our team can outline a scope after a conversation, and you can see ASO packages for how work is organized.
What should I fix first in my app store listing?
Fix the title, subtitle and keywords first, because these decide which searches your app can appear in. The title carries the most weight in store search, so pair your brand with one relevant term. Screenshots and ratings matter, but they work best once the listing is findable.
Who is an ASO checklist and keyword tool for?
The ASO checklist and keyword tool suits app owners, product managers and marketers who want a clear order of work for Apple App Store and Google Play listings. It helps most when you have a live app and need priorities. If you want hands-on help, contact our team to talk through your listing.
03Keep reading
Related services and guides
Related pages cover App store optimization (ASO), ASO packages, the [[link:/resources/seo-cost-calculator|SEO cost calculator]], the [[link:/resources/dental-seo-checklist|Dental SEO checklist]] and the [[link:/resources/medical-seo-checklist|Medical SEO checklist]].
Get in touch
Start with a checklist run on one app
Talk to our team to scope a discovery call and site audit for your app listings. We agree a work plan with you before any changes go live. Pick one app to start.
