Keyword Research Guide

Effective keyword research is the foundation of successful app store optimization. This guide explains how to use Appalize's keyword research tools to discover high-value keywords for your app.

Understanding Keyword Metrics

Before diving into research, it's important to understand the key metrics we provide:

• Search Volume: Estimated number of searches for a keyword per month (scale of 1-100)
• Difficulty: How challenging it is to rank for this keyword (scale of 1-100)
• Relevance: How closely the keyword matches your app's functionality
• Traffic Potential: Estimated visibility gain if you rank in the top 10
• Trending Score: Whether the keyword is growing or declining in popularity

Step 1: Generate Seed Keywords

Start by identifying your core keywords:

1. Navigate to "Keyword Research" in the main menu
2. Enter 3-5 terms that describe your app's core functionality
3. Click "Generate Keywords" to see related suggestions
4. Review the initial list of keyword ideas

Step 2: Expand Your Keyword List

Use our expansion tools to discover more opportunities:

1. Select promising keywords from your seed list
2. Click "Find Similar" to discover related terms
3. Use the "Competitor Keywords" tab to see what similar apps are ranking for
4. Try the "Auto-Suggest" feature to see what users are searching for

Step 3: Analyze and Filter Keywords

Not all keywords are worth targeting. Filter your list based on:

1. Set minimum search volume (usually 20+ for primary keywords)
2. Filter by maximum difficulty based on your app's current strength
3. Sort by opportunity score to find the best balance of volume and competition
4. Remove irrelevant keywords that won't convert to downloads

Step 4: Organize Keywords

Create a structured approach to your keywords:

1. Use tags to categorize keywords by feature, user intent, or priority
2. Create keyword groups for different aspects of your app
3. Identify primary keywords (high volume, core functionality) and secondary keywords (more specific, lower competition)
4. Save your research in projects for easy access

Step 5: Monitor Performance

Track how your keywords perform over time:

1. Add selected keywords to your tracking dashboard
2. Set up weekly ranking reports
3. Analyze which keywords are driving visibility and downloads
4. Adjust your strategy based on performance data

Advanced Tips

• Use localization to research keywords in different languages and regions
• Look for seasonal trends in keyword popularity
• Consider long-tail keywords (3+ words) for less competition
• Research competitors who recently improved their rankings

Remember, keyword research is an ongoing process. We recommend revisiting your keyword strategy every 2-3 months to stay competitive in the app stores.

Need personalized help with your keyword strategy? Contact our ASO experts for a consultation.