app-store-listing-optimizer

# App Store Listing Optimizer

Craft high-converting, keyword-optimized App Store and Google Play listings
through competitive research, strategic keyword selection, and data-driven
screenshot planning.

## Prerequisites

- **Chrome browser** with Claude in Chrome extension (for browsing competitor
  listings)
- No API keys required — all research uses live store browsing
- Supports **iOS App Store**, **Google Play Store**, or **both**

## Workflow Overview

```
1. App Analysis        — Understand the app, audience, differentiators
2. Competitive Research — Browse competitor listings, extract keywords
3. Keyword Selection    — Identify high-intent, low-competition keywords
4. Craft the Listing    — Write optimized metadata for each platform
5. Screenshot Strategy  — Plan visual sequence and caption copy
6. A/B Test Variants    — Generate 2-3 alternatives for split testing
```

---

## Step 1: Analyze the App

Gather everything needed to position the app effectively. Ask the user:

1. **What does the app do?** One sentence, plain language.
2. **Target platform?** iOS, Android, or both?
3. **Who is it for?** Primary audience, age range, expertise level.
4. **Top 3 features** — What does it do better or differently?
5. **Differentiator** — Why pick this over competitors?
6. **Monetization** — Free, freemium, subscription, one-time purchase?
7. **Current listing** (if updating) — Share the existing store URL.

Document the answers in a structured brief before proceeding.

---

## Step 2: Competitive Keyword Research

Browse 8-12 competitor listings on the target store(s) using Chrome. For
detailed methodology and search patterns, see
[references/keyword-research.md](references/keyword-research.md).

### What to Extract Per Competitor

| Field            | Where to Find                             |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| App name         | Title on store listing                    |
| Subtitle / short | Below title (iOS) or short desc (Android) |
| Full description | Store listing body                        |
| Rating + count   | Store listing header                      |
| Category rank    | Store listing or chart position           |
| Screenshots      | Visual carousel — note caption text       |

### Keyword Extraction Process

1. **List every keyword and phrase** from competitor titles and subtitles.
2. **Scan descriptions** for repeated terms — these are intentional keyword
   targets.
3. **Note caption text** on competitor screenshots — often contains keyword
   variations.
4. **Build a master keyword list** of 40-60 candidate terms.

### Platform Differences

- **iOS:** Only the app name, subtitle, and keyword field are indexed for
  search. The description is NOT searchable — it exists purely for conversion.
- **Google Play:** The full description IS indexed. Keyword density matters, but
  avoid stuffing. The short description carries extra weight.

---

## Step 3: Keyword Selection

Narrow the master list to the highest-value keywords.

### Selection Criteria

| Factor          | What to Look For                                              |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Relevance**   | Directly describes what the app does or solves                |
| **Intent**      | User searching this term wants what the app offers            |
| **Competition** | Fewer top-rated apps ranking for this term = better chance    |
| **Volume**      | Term appears across multiple competitor listings              |
| **Length**      | Longer phrases (2-3 words) = lower competition, higher intent |

### Prioritization Tiers

- **Tier 1 (must use):** High relevance + clear intent + moderate competition.
  Place in title or subtitle.
- **Tier 2 (strong):** Good relevance + decent volume. Place in iOS keyword
  field or Google Play description.
- **Tier 3 (supplemental):** Related terms, synonyms, adjacent use cases. Fill
  remaining keyword space.

### iOS Keyword Field Rules

The 100-character keyword field has specific optimization rules:

- Comma-separated, **no spaces after commas** (wastes characters)
- Do NOT repeat words already in the app name or subtitle
- Do NOT include the word "app" (Apple adds it automatically)
- Do NOT include plurals if the singular is present (Apple handles this)
- Do NOT include common prepositions or articles
- Use singular forms only
- Include competitor brand misspellings only if ethical and relevant

### Google Play Keyword Strategy

- No keyword field exists — optimize within the description text
- Repeat primary keywords 3-5 times naturally across the full description
- Place highest-priority keywords in the first paragraph and short description
- Use keyword variations and synonyms throughout
- Avoid keyword stuffing — Google penalizes unnatural density

---

## Step 4: Craft the Listing

Write optimized metadata for each target platform.

### App Name (both platforms: 30 characters max)

- Include the primary keyword naturally
- Lead with the brand name if it has recognition; otherwise lead with the
  keyword
- Format options: `BrandName - Keyword Phrase` or `Keyword Phrase: BrandName`
- Test readability — truncation happens around 20-25 chars in search results

### iOS Subtitle (30 characters max)

- Reinforce the value proposition with secondary keywords
- Do NOT repeat words from the app name
- Focus on benefit, not feature: "Sleep Better Tonight" > "Sleep Tracker App"
- Every character counts — use the full 30

### Google Play Short Description (80 characters max)

- Searchable and prominently displayed — treat as a headline + subtitle combined
- Include 1-2 primary keywords
- Communicate the core value proposition
- More space than iOS subtitle — use it to differentiate

### iOS Keyword Field (100 characters max)

Apply the rules from Step 3. Present the final keyword string with character
count. Example format:

```
sleep,tracker,insomnia,white,noise,m