ASO checklist.

1. Keyword & metadata optimization

App Store (iOS)

• 1. Title (30 chars): Include your 1-2 highest-traffic keywords. Brand name + core function. Example: "Notion — Notes, docs, tasks".
• 2. Subtitle (30 chars): Secondary keywords. Complement the title, don't repeat it. Example: "Your AI second brain".
• 3. Keyword field (100 chars): Comma-separated keywords. Don't repeat words from title/subtitle. Don't use spaces after commas — they waste characters.
• 4. Promotional text (170 chars): Update anytime without review. Use for seasonal keywords, announcements, or limited-time offers.
• 5. Description: Not indexed by App Store search, but matters for conversion. First 3 lines are visible before "Read more" — make them count.

Google Play (Android)

• 6. App name (50 chars): Brand + core keyword. Indexed heavily by Google Play search.
• 7. Short description (80 chars): The most important metadata field for Play Store ASO. Include your primary keyword naturally.
• 8. Full description (4000 chars): Keyword-rich but readable. Use 5-10 keyword repetitions naturally. Include feature bullet points.
• 9. Category & tags: Choose the most specific category. Wrong category = wrong audience = low conversion.
• 10. Privacy policy URL: Required for both stores. Missing = rejection or removal.

2. Screenshot design

• 11. First 3 screenshots: These appear in search results. Show your core value proposition, not secondary features.
• 12. Headlines per frame: 3-7 words max. Benefit-driven, not feature-driven. "Track habits that stick" beats "Habit tracking with reminders".
• 13. Consistent visual language: Same color palette, typography, and background style across all frames. Inconsistent screenshots signal low-quality apps.
• 14. Device-appropriate sizes: App Store requires 1290×2796 (iPhone 16 Pro Max). Google Play accepts 16:9 or 9:16, minimum 320px, maximum 3840px. See full size reference →
• 15. Screenshot order: Hook → Core feature → Social proof → Secondary feature → CTA. The order matters — users scroll top to bottom.
• 16. No raw screenshots: Plain screenshots without headlines, backgrounds, or design elements convert worse than designed screenshots. Use a tool like Nuvex to generate designed screenshots with AI.

3. Icon & visual identity

• 17. App icon: Test at 60×60px (search result size). If it's illegible or blends into the background, redesign. Avoid text-heavy icons.
• 18. Color contrast: Icon should stand out against both light and dark store backgrounds. Test on white and black.
• 19. Google Play feature graphic (1024×500): Include your app name and tagline. Avoid placing critical elements in the bottom 20% (safe zone). See feature graphic guide →

4. Ratings & reviews

• 20. Rating prompt timing: Ask after a positive moment — completing a task, winning a level, or 3+ sessions. Never ask on first launch.
• 21. Respond to reviews: Both stores surface developer responses. Responding to negative reviews can improve rating by 0.2-0.5 stars.
• 22. Review velocity: Aim for 5+ new reviews per week. Recent reviews matter more than total count for rankings.

5. Localization

• 23. Localize screenshots: Translate headlines and adapt colors for each market. Screenshots with localized text convert 20-40% better than English-only in non-English markets. See localization guide →
• 24. Localize metadata: Translate title, subtitle, description, and keyword field. Use native keywords — direct translations often miss what users actually search for.

6. A/B testing & analytics

• 25. Run A/B tests: Test screenshot sets, icons, and titles using App Store Product Page Optimization or Google Play Store Listing Experiments. Test one variable at a time. Run for 7-14 days minimum. See A/B testing guide →

FAQ

What is an ASO checklist?

An ASO checklist is a structured list of optimization tasks you run before publishing or updating an app on the App Store or Google Play. It covers keyword strategy, metadata, screenshot design, icon review, rating strategy, localization, and A/B testing.

How often should I run an ASO audit?

Run a full ASO audit before every major release, after competitor changes, and at least once per quarter. Algorithm updates and seasonal trends can shift rankings even without app changes.

What's the difference between ASO for App Store and Google Play?

The App Store has a 30-character title and 30-character subtitle for keywords, while Google Play has a 50-character title and 80-character short description. Google Play indexes the full description; the App Store does not. Screenshot requirements also differ — Apple requires specific device sizes, Google Play accepts flexible aspect ratios.

How many screenshots should I upload?

Upload at least 5 screenshots for both App Store and Google Play. The first 3 screenshots are the most important — they appear in search results and determine whether users tap through to your full listing.

Can I use AI to generate my app screenshots?

Yes. AI screenshot generators like Nuvex create custom backgrounds, headlines, and typography for your app screenshots in about 30 seconds. You upload your raw app screens, write a one-line description, and get 5 store-ready designs. This is faster than template tools and produces unique, non-templated results. Try it free →

Related guides

• Complete ASO Guide 2026 — the full reference behind this checklist
• How to make App Store screenshots — step-by-step design guide
• App Store screenshot sizes — every device dimension
• Google Play screenshot requirements — all formats and sizes
• App Store screenshot best practices — design principles that convert
• A/B testing app screenshots — how to run effective experiments