# ASO guides

> Uptika is an ASO and store-intelligence tool for the App Store and Google Play; these guides explain how store search works and exactly how Uptika measures keyword popularity, difficulty, visibility and the ASO score, with the formulas and limits written out.

## ASO basics

- [What is ASO? App Store Optimization in 2026](https://uptika.app/en/guides/what-is-aso.md): ASO explained with official sources: which fields the App Store and Google Play index, what ranks apps, how long ASO takes and a 10-step checklist.
- [App keyword research: a step-by-step method with free data](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-keyword-research.md): A repeatable ASO keyword research method using free store data: find searches, score relevance, popularity and difficulty, then place them in the right fields.
- [How App Store and Google Play search ranking works](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-search-ranking.md): What Apple and Google officially say ranks apps in search, what is only field observation, and a decision tree for diagnosing a sudden rank drop.
- [ASO glossary: 80 terms defined](https://uptika.app/en/guides/aso-glossary.md): 80 App Store Optimization terms in plain words: keywords, listing fields, screenshots, tests, analytics metrics, Android vitals, subscriptions and Apple Ads.
- [Choosing an app category and reading top charts on both stores](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-categories-and-top-charts.md): How to choose a primary and secondary category on the App Store and a category plus 5 tags on Google Play, and how to read category top charts.
- [ASO checklist: 30 checks before launch and every release](https://uptika.app/en/guides/aso-checklist.md): A 30-item ASO checklist for the App Store and Google Play: each check with its field, limit, where to verify it and the official rule behind it.
- [ASO for mobile games: store page, events and launch](https://uptika.app/en/guides/aso-for-games.md): The ASO rules that apply to games: categories and subcategories, Google Play's game screenshot and video rules, events and promotional content, launch costs.

## App Store

- [App icon sizes: iOS 1024×1024 and Google Play 512×512](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-icon-sizes.md): App icon sizes for both stores in one table: iOS 1024×1024 layered icons with dark, clear and tinted looks, Google Play 512×512 PNG, masks, shadows and rules.
- [App preview video specs for the App Store and Google Play](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-preview-video-specs.md): App Store app previews (15–30 s, 500 MB, 30 fps, 886×1920 and 1200×1600) and the Google Play YouTube preview video, with export settings and upload steps.
- [App Store and Google Play character limits (2026 table)](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-character-limits.md): Every text limit on the App Store and Google Play in one table: name, subtitle, 100-byte keyword field, promotional text, descriptions, events, with sources.
- [App Store review time in 2026: how long it takes and how to speed it up](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-review-time.md): How long App Store review takes: Apple's figures (50% under 24 hours, 90% under 48), what each status means, and when to ask for an expedited review.
- [App Store screenshot sizes 2026: every iPhone and iPad size](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-screenshot-sizes.md): Apple's current screenshot table: the required iPhone and iPad sizes, accepted pixel dimensions, scaling, 1–10 images, no alpha, and the 2027 iPhone Duo rule.
- [App Store subtitle: what to write in 30 characters, with 40 examples](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-subtitle.md): The App Store subtitle is 30 characters, indexed for search and changed with a new version. A keyword + benefit formula and 40 counted examples by category.
- [Apple Developer account: cost, individual or organization, and D-U-N-S](https://uptika.app/en/guides/apple-developer-account.md): What the Apple Developer Program costs (99 USD a year), how to choose individual or organization, how D-U-N-S works, and the mistakes that delay approval.
- [Custom product pages on the App Store: setup, keywords and Apple Ads](https://uptika.app/en/guides/custom-product-pages.md): App Store custom product pages: what can differ, how keyword assignment puts them in search, setup in App Store Connect and use in Apple Ads.
- [How to choose and change an app name on both stores](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-name.md): App names are 30 characters on both stores. A brand + keyword formula, Apple 2.3.7 and Play title rules, how to rename, and a rank plan after a rename.
- [How to design store screenshots that convert](https://uptika.app/en/guides/design-app-store-screenshots.md): Design store screenshots that work in search and pass review: the first-three-frames rule, caption formulas, a Figma setup, and the rules of both stores.
- [How to publish an app on the App Store, step by step (2026)](https://uptika.app/en/guides/publish-app-app-store.md): Publish an iOS app on the App Store in 2026: the 99 USD membership, app record, build upload, TestFlight, required metadata and screenshots, review and release.
- [How to write an app description: templates for the App Store and Google Play](https://uptika.app/en/guides/how-to-write-an-app-description.md): Both stores allow 4,000 characters, but the description does a different job on each. Templates for App Store and Google Play, mistakes and a checklist.
- [How to write release notes (What's New): templates and rules](https://uptika.app/en/guides/release-notes.md): App Store What's New: 4,000 characters, required after the first version. Google Play: 500 per language. Guideline 2.3.12 and 12 templates.
- [In-app events on the App Store: limits, badges, examples and a calendar](https://uptika.app/en/guides/in-app-events.md): App Store in-app events: every limit (10 live, 15 approved, 31 days, 14 days early), media specs, which badge to pick, 10 example events and a 12-month plan.
- [New App Store creative assets: product page header and search results](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-header-and-search-assets.md): Sizes and rules for the iOS 27 App Store creative assets: 21:9 header 3840×1646, 3:2 search 1920×1280 to 3840×2560, universal 16:9 5244×2950, 5–30 s video.
- [Phased release on the App Store and staged rollout on Google Play](https://uptika.app/en/guides/phased-release-staged-rollout.md): How the App Store's 7-day phased release (1% to 100%) and Google Play's manual staged rollout work, how to pause or halt them, and when to stop a release.
- [Product page optimization: A/B testing on the App Store](https://uptika.app/en/guides/product-page-optimization.md): App Store product page optimization: up to 3 treatments, 90 days, one test at a time, icon rules, setup steps, results and the Google Play equivalent.
- [Promotional text vs description on the App Store](https://uptika.app/en/guides/promotional-text-vs-description.md): Promotional text (170 characters, change any time) vs description (4,000, ships with a version): where each shows, search impact, and 10 example texts.
- [TestFlight guide: internal and external testing, public links and limits](https://uptika.app/en/guides/testflight-guide.md): How TestFlight works in 2026: 100 internal and 10,000 external testers, beta review, public links, the 90-day build limit and 'no builds available' fixes.
- [The App Store keyword field: fill all 100 bytes without waste](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-keyword-field.md): How to fill the App Store Connect keyword field: Apple's rules, byte counting, a before/after example, dedupe against name and subtitle, and second locales.
- [What is App Store Connect? Sections, roles and API keys](https://uptika.app/en/guides/what-is-app-store-connect.md): App Store Connect explained: what each section does (Apps, TestFlight, Analytics, Payments, Users and Access), the user roles, and API keys.

## Google Play

- [Google Play store listing: title, short and full description](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-store-listing.md): Google Play store listing limits (title 30, short description 80, full description 4,000), metadata policy rules, graphics specs and Play Console steps.
- [Google Play full description: 4,000 characters, repetition and formatting](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-full-description.md): How to write the Google Play full description: the 4,000-character limit, safe keyword repetition, formatting, the first paragraph and a template.
- [Google Play short description: 80 characters, with examples](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-short-description.md): The Google Play short description: the 80-character limit, what Google allows, 24 policy-safe examples with character counts, and how to test it.
- [Google Play store listing experiments: rules and duration](https://uptika.app/en/guides/store-listing-experiments.md): Google Play store listing experiments: types, limits, target metrics, minimum detectable effect, setup, duration, and Apple PPO compared.
- [Google Play custom store listings: target by country, keyword and lapsed users](https://uptika.app/en/guides/custom-store-listings.md): Google Play custom store listings: up to 50 per app, every targeting option (country, keywords, lapsed users, buyers, ads), setup and Apple CPP compared.
- [Android vitals and visibility: the 1.09% crash and 0.47% ANR thresholds](https://uptika.app/en/guides/android-vitals.md): Android vitals thresholds (1.09% crash rate, 0.47% ANR, 8% per device), the 28-day window, DAU/MAU and user loss warnings, and what to fix first.
- [Google Play promotional content (LiveOps): events, offers and featuring](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-promotional-content.md): Google Play promotional content (LiveOps): eligibility, content types, submission timing, featuring quotas, text rules and App Store in-app events compared.
- [Google Play developer account: cost, personal or organization, and verification](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-developer-account.md): Open a Google Play developer account: the one-time 25 USD fee, personal or organization, D-U-N-S, identity and device checks, and common blockers.
- [Google Play internal vs closed vs open testing](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-internal-closed-open-testing.md): Google Play's three testing tracks compared: tester limits, how testers join, which track counts for the 12-tester rule, and 'item not found' fixes.
- [Google Play review time in 2026: how long it takes](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-review-time.md): How long Google Play review takes in 2026: what Google's help pages say (up to 7 days or longer), production access, promotional content, managed publishing.
- [Google Play screenshot, feature graphic and icon sizes (2026)](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-screenshot-sizes.md): Every Google Play graphic spec in one table: icon 512×512, feature graphic 1024×500, screenshots 320–3,840 px, tablet and Chromebook rules, video and alt text.
- [Google Play's 12 testers for 14 days rule: who it applies to and how to pass](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-12-testers-14-days.md): Google Play's closed test rule for new personal accounts: 12 opted-in testers for 14 days, setup, the production access questions and the risks.
- [How to publish an app on Google Play, step by step (2026)](https://uptika.app/en/guides/publish-app-google-play.md): Publish an Android app on Google Play in 2026: the 25 USD account, creating the app, App content, store listing, the 12-tester rule, API 36 and review.
- [What is Google Play Console? What to fill in on day one](https://uptika.app/en/guides/what-is-google-play-console.md): Google Play Console explained: the main sections, the App content declarations to complete before review, users and permissions, and API access.

## Ads: Apple Ads and Google App Campaigns

- [Apple Ads (formerly Apple Search Ads) setup, step by step](https://uptika.app/en/guides/apple-ads-setup.md): Set up Apple Ads step by step: account, App Store Connect link, Basic vs Advanced, bid strategies, the four-campaign structure and a first-two-weeks checklist.
- [Apple Ads ad variations with custom product pages](https://uptika.app/en/guides/apple-ads-custom-product-pages.md): How to use custom product pages in Apple Ads: ad variations per keyword theme, deep links on iOS 18+, measurement in App Analytics and the limits to know.
- [Apple Ads campaign structure: brand, category, competitor and discovery](https://uptika.app/en/guides/apple-ads-campaign-structure.md): Apple's four-campaign template for search results ads, a worked example, the weekly discovery-to-exact routine and the negative keyword cross-list.
- [Apple Ads cost: CPT bids, budgets and the CPI math](https://uptika.app/en/guides/apple-ads-cost-and-bids.md): How Apple Ads pricing works: max CPT as a ceiling, relevance plus bid, daily budget × 30.4, and how to get from cost per tap to CPI and ROAS with your own data.
- [Apple Ads match types: broad, exact and Search Match](https://uptika.app/en/guides/apple-ads-match-types.md): Apple Ads match types explained with Apple's own examples: broad, exact, Search Match and negative keywords, and which to use in each campaign.
- [Google Ads App campaigns: setup, assets and bidding](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-ads-app-campaigns.md): How Google Ads App campaigns work: installs, engagement and pre-registration, asset sizes, bid strategies, budget-to-bid ratios and the first 100 conversions.

## Ratings and reviews

- [Asking for ratings on iOS: RequestReviewAction and SKStoreReviewController](https://uptika.app/en/guides/ios-rating-prompt-requestreview.md): Ask for App Store ratings the right way: the 3-per-365-days limit, SwiftUI requestReview, UIKit AppStore.requestReview(in:), timing and TestFlight.
- [Google Play In-App Review API: rules, quota and code](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-in-app-review-api.md): How the Google Play In-App Review API works: device requirements, the unpublished quota, what you may not ask, Kotlin and Unity code, and testing.
- [How to get more app ratings and reviews, within the rules](https://uptika.app/en/guides/get-more-app-reviews.md): Ten allowed ways to get more App Store and Google Play ratings, what each store forbids (incentives, fake reviews, gated prompts) and why buying backfires.
- [Negative reviews and rating drops: what to do and what not to do](https://uptika.app/en/guides/negative-app-reviews.md): Diagnose a rating drop on the App Store or Google Play, decide on an App Store rating reset, handle reviews you can't delete, and stay within store rules.
- [Replying to app reviews: 25 templates for the App Store and Google Play](https://uptika.app/en/guides/reply-to-app-reviews.md): How to reply to App Store and Google Play reviews: where, the platform rules (Play's 350 characters, Apple's 24 hours), a triage routine and 25 templates.

## Localization

- [App Store localization languages by country](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-localization-languages.md): Every App Store storefront with its default and additional languages, as App Store Connect Help lists them, plus the extra keyword locale practice and risks.
- [App store localization: local search terms, not translation](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-localization.md): How to localize App Store and Google Play listings: which fields, how each store picks the language, Play translation options and per-country measurement.
- [Which countries should you localize your app for first?](https://uptika.app/en/guides/which-countries-to-localize-first.md): A scored method to pick which App Store and Google Play countries to localize first from your downloads, search demand, competition and revenue, plus a test.

## Growth and revenue

- [App launch checklist: from 6 weeks out to launch day](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-launch-checklist.md): A dated app launch checklist for both stores: testing rules, featuring lead times, pre-orders, events, store assets and what to watch after launch.
- [App Store and Google Play commission rates in 2026, with worked examples](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-google-play-commission.md): Apple's 30% and 15% rates and Google Play's 2026 fees by region (new vs existing installs, 10–25% plus a 5% billing fee), with worked examples.
- [App Store pricing: price points, country prices and scheduled changes](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-pricing.md): App Store pricing now: 800 price points (100 more up to $10,000), a base country with automatic prices in 175 storefronts, manual and scheduled changes.
- [App Store subscription offers: introductory, promotional, offer codes and win-back](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-subscription-offers.md): The four App Store subscription offers side by side: who gets them, where they show, limits and setup steps, plus a decision tree for which one to use when.
- [Google Play subscriptions: base plans, offers and discounts](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-subscription-offers.md): How Google Play subscriptions work: subscription, base plans and offers, eligibility types, trial and intro phases, limits and the subscriptions policy.
- [How apps make money: subscriptions, in-app purchases, ads and paid apps](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-monetization-models.md): The four ways apps earn on the App Store and Google Play, a decision tree to pick one, the store payment rules (3.1.1, 3.1.2, Play billing) and metrics.
- [How to create App Store offer codes](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-offer-codes.md): Create App Store offer codes step by step: one-time-use and custom codes, 1 million a quarter, 6-month expiry, eligibility, and how promo codes differ.
- [How to get your app featured on the App Store and Google Play](https://uptika.app/en/guides/get-featured-app-store-google-play.md): Featuring nominations in App Store Connect (lead time, types, 5 links) and featuring requests in Google Play promotional content (14 days, quotas).
- [How to increase app downloads: 15 organic and paid levers](https://uptika.app/en/guides/increase-app-downloads.md): 15 ways to get more App Store and Google Play downloads, sorted by effort and reach, with the official store tool and the measurement for each.
- [How to market an app: a plan with and without a budget](https://uptika.app/en/guides/how-to-market-an-app.md): An app marketing plan: listing first, then store features, web and AI answers, community and paid ads, each with what to measure and one message.
- [Pre-registration on Google Play and pre-orders on the App Store](https://uptika.app/en/guides/pre-registration-and-pre-orders.md): Collect demand before launch: App Store pre-orders (2–180 days, auto-download) and Google Play pre-registration (90 days, auto-install, rewards).
- [Win-back offers: bring lapsed subscribers back](https://uptika.app/en/guides/win-back-offers.md): App Store win-back offers: eligibility rules, 350 per subscription, 5 live per storefront, where they appear, how to promote them, and Google Play.

## Store policies and rejections

- [App Store rejection reasons and fixes (2026), guideline by guideline](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-rejection-reasons.md): The most common App Store rejections, guideline by guideline: what each message means, how to fix it, how to reply to App Review and when to appeal.
- [EU Digital Services Act (DSA) trader status on the App Store](https://uptika.app/en/guides/dsa-trader-status-app-store.md): Trader or not under the EU DSA: who must declare, what App Store Connect asks for, what appears on your product page and the exact steps to declare.
- [App Store metadata rejections: Guidelines 2.3.3, 2.3.7, 2.3.10 and 2.3.12](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-metadata-rejections.md): The App Store metadata rules behind most text and screenshot rejections, quoted exactly, with Apple's screenshot majority rule, keyword field rules and fixes.
- [Google Play app or account suspended: what to do](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-app-suspended.md): Removal, suspension, restriction or termination on Google Play: what each costs you, how to appeal from Policy status and how to avoid another strike.
- [Google Play metadata policy: emojis, ALL CAPS and "#1" in titles](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-metadata-policy.md): What Google Play's Metadata policy bans in titles, short descriptions, icons and graphics: banned vs allowed examples, keyword stuffing rules and the fix.
- [Google Play rejections and policy violations: a fix table](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-rejection-reasons.md): Why Google Play rejects, removes or suspends apps, what each action does to your account, a policy-by-policy fix table, resubmission steps and appeal rules.
- [Google Play target API level 2026: the Android 16 (API 36) requirement](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-target-api-level.md): Since August 31, 2026 new apps and updates must target API 36 (Wear OS, Automotive 35; TV, XR 34). Rules by form factor, how to change targetSdk, user impact.
- [Guideline 2.1 App Completeness and "Information Needed": how to fix it](https://uptika.app/en/guides/guideline-2-1-app-completeness.md): What App Review Guideline 2.1(a) and 2.1(b) say, how to answer an Information Needed message, a demo account and IAP checklist, and review notes templates.
- [Guideline 3.1.1 In-App Purchase rejections: what needs IAP and what doesn't](https://uptika.app/en/guides/guideline-3-1-1-in-app-purchase.md): What needs in-app purchase under Guideline 3.1.1, what may use other payment, the 3.1.1(a) link rules and US storefront exception, and 3.1.2 subscriptions.
- [Guideline 4.0 Design and 4.2 Minimum Functionality rejections](https://uptika.app/en/guides/guideline-4-2-minimum-functionality.md): What App Review Guidelines 4.0 Design and 4.2 Minimum Functionality say word for word, why webview wrappers and template apps fail, and a checklist.
- [Guideline 4.3 spam rejections: 4.3(a) vs 4.3(b) and how to fix them](https://uptika.app/en/guides/guideline-4-3-spam.md): What App Review Guideline 4.3(a) and 4.3(b) Design Spam say word for word, how they differ, the evidence that sets an app apart, and a reply skeleton.
- [Guideline 5.1.1: data collection, sign-in and account deletion rejections](https://uptika.app/en/guides/guideline-5-1-1-data-collection.md): All ten parts of App Review Guideline 5.1.1 in one table, the account deletion and sign-in rules of 5.1.1(v), purpose strings, 5.1.1(ix) and a fix checklist.
- [How to fill in Google Play’s Data safety form](https://uptika.app/en/guides/google-play-data-safety-form.md): Fill in the Play Console Data safety form step by step: collect vs share, exemptions, SDK-by-SDK table, privacy policy and deletion URLs, common mistakes.
- [How to fill in the App Store age rating](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-age-rating.md): Set an App Store age rating step by step: questionnaire sections, what leads to 4+, 9+, 13+, 16+, 18+ or Unrated, Made for Kids, overrides, rejection risks.
- [Replying to App Review and appealing to the App Review Board](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-review-board-appeal.md): When to reply, resubmit, appeal, expedite or accept a Bug Fix Submission offer after an App Store rejection, with Apple's appeal rules and a template.

## Tools and methodology

- [How Uptika measures every number](https://uptika.app/en/guides/methodology.md): How Uptika measures keyword popularity (autocomplete prefix walk), difficulty (top 10 rating counts and titles), visibility (popularity-weighted tap-share curve) and the 0–100 ASO and Uptika scores, with every weight and limit.
- [How keyword rank tracking works on the App Store and Google Play](https://uptika.app/en/guides/keyword-rank-tracking.md): How to check an app's keyword ranking on the App Store and Google Play, why your phone shows a different rank, what moves ranks and how to read a daily series.
- [App competitor analysis: read rivals' keywords and listing changes](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-competitor-analysis.md): How to pick app store rivals, read their listings, infer their keywords, log their changes, and why rival names never belong in your metadata.
- [App review analysis: turn complaints into a release plan](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-review-analysis.md): A practical method to analyze App Store and Google Play reviews: a tagging scheme, what the stores' summaries miss, and a 30-minute weekly routine.
- [App Store Connect analytics: impressions, page views and conversion explained](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-connect-analytics.md): App Store Connect Analytics metrics and source types defined, why it says not enough data, how fresh data is, and how to read CPP and PPO results.
- [App store conversion rate: how it is calculated and what counts as good](https://uptika.app/en/guides/app-store-conversion-rate.md): How App Store Connect and Play Console calculate conversion rate, why to split it by source, Apple's only published average (1.6%) and peer benchmarks.
- [Getting your app recommended by AI answer engines (GEO for apps)](https://uptika.app/en/guides/ai-search-app-recommendations.md): GEO for apps: what Apple says about store text on the web, one consistent name and description, an answer-first site layout and a weekly prompt set.
- [How to measure the impact of an ASO change](https://uptika.app/en/guides/measure-aso-impact.md): A before-and-after ASO method: change log, fixed reading window, visibility, controls for season, ads, algorithm shifts and rivals, and store experiments.
- [How to read Play Console store performance and acquisition reports](https://uptika.app/en/guides/play-console-reports.md): Where Play Console keeps listing visitors, clicks, CTR, acquisitions, traffic sources and search terms, what each means, and what changed in 2026.

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Uptika is an ASO and store-intelligence tool for the App Store and Google Play. https://uptika.app/en