What are the 3 Main Differences and Similarities for App Success?

Differences of ASO VS SEO

SEO revolves around optimizing online content to secure top positions in search results across major search engines. ASO is one of many app marketing strategies that concentrate on optimizing visibility and download rates for apps within the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

1. Difference in Objectives of ASO and SEO

The objectives of each have been briefly explained below.

ASO Objective

In general, the objective of ASO is to increase an app’s rankings on high-volume keywords with the ultimate goal of increasing downloads. 

SEO Objective

The ultimate goal of SEO is to drive more qualified traffic to your web pages through organic search engines and help people find answers to their questions or discover new products or services.

2. Search Intent of ASO vs SEO

 SEO aims to boost web pages' rankings in search engine results to attract more website visitors whereas ASO's main focus is on improving an app’s presence within app stores to increase downloads.

Search Intent on the App Stores

Search queries in the app stores are generally shorter than on the web. People tend to search for specific apps by their brand name or are looking to discover new apps that can serve an exact need. Search queries therefore tend to be more functional and are related to specific features of an app.

Search Intent on the Web

Due to the abundance of information on the web, search terms tend to be longer and more specific. When searching the web, people generally seek answers to specific questions or they make transactional queries looking to make an inquiry or buy a certain product or service.

3. Ranking Factors of ASO and SEO

Learn more about the most significant ASO ranking factors on our gen players' blog. Read this blog to discover the main differences to consider when developing your ASO strategy.

On-Page ASO Ranking Factors

• App title (iOS & Android)
• App subtitle (iOS) and short description (Android)
• Long description & keyword density (Android)
• Keyword field (iOS)
• In-app purchases (iOS)
• Publisher name (iOS & Android)

Off-Page ASO Ranking Factors

• Total number of downloads and download velocity (iOS & Android)
• Conversion rate (iOS & Android)
• Retention and engagement (iOS & Android)
• Reviews and ratings (iOS & Android)
• Crash rate (iOS & Android)
• Backlinks (Android)

On-Page SEO Ranking Factors

• Keywords in the title tag
• Keywords in header tags
• High-quality and relevant content
• Content structure and length
• Optimized URLs and meta tags

Off-Page SEO Ranking Factors

• Page speed
• Backlinks
• Domain authority
• Click-through rate and bounce rate
• Time spent on page

Similarities of ASO VS SEO

The primary objective of both ASO and SEO is to boost organic (unpaid) traffic. ASO targets app traffic, while SEO focuses on web traffic. Despite their distinct platforms, both disciplines share a nearly identical goal.

1. Keyword Research: The Cornerstone of Optimization

In ASO, this involves selecting keywords that potential users will likely enter when searching for apps within the app store. Similarly, SEO demands thorough keyword research to understand the terms users type into search engines when looking for information, products, or services.

2. Optimizing Content for User Experience

ASO and SEO emphasize creating content that caters to the user’s needs and preferences. In ASO, this translates to crafting compelling app descriptions, engaging visuals, and intuitive user interfaces within the app. SEO involves creating informative and relevant content on web pages, optimizing for readability, and ensuring a seamless user experience.

3. App and Website Optimization for Performance Metrics

Both ASO and SEO are data-driven strategies, relying on performance metrics to gauge success and identify areas for improvement. In the realm of ASO, metrics such as app downloads, conversion rates from page view to download, and user retention play a crucial role in evaluating the effectiveness of optimization efforts. Similarly, SEO relies on metrics like click-through rates, bounce rates, and time-on-page to assess how well a website performs in search engine results.

ASO vs SEO: Tracking and KPIs

Below we have listed some of the metrics you should use to measure your success:

1. App Store Optimization KPIs

In-app store Optimization, key performance indicators such as app visibility, conversion rate, and user ratings are crucial.

• App Downloads

The number of downloads directly reflects the success of your ASO efforts. Monitoring download metrics provides insights into the effectiveness of your app’s visibility and appeal to users.

• Conversion Rate

The conversion rate indicates the percentage of users who downloaded the app after viewing the product page. A higher conversion rate signifies that your app’s presentation and description are compelling to potential users.

• User Ratings and Reviews

Monitoring the average rating and the volume of user reviews helps gauge user satisfaction. Positive reviews and high ratings contribute to better app store rankings.

• Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the percentage of users who continue to use the app after the initial download. A high retention rate indicates the app’s ability to engage and retain users over time.

• Keyword Rankings

Tracking the rankings of your chosen keywords in app store searches provides insights into the effectiveness of your keyword optimization strategy.

2. Search Engine Optimization KPIs

 At the same time, in Search Engine Optimization, KPIs like organic search traffic, and keyword rankings play a vital role in assessing performance. 

• Organic Traffic

Monitoring the volume of organic traffic to your website provides insights into the success of your SEO efforts in attracting visitors through search engines.

• Keyword Rankings

Tracking the rankings of target keywords on search engine results pages helps assess the visibility and performance of your content.

• Click-Through Rate 

CTR measures the percentage of users who click on your website’s link in search results. A higher CTR indicates that your meta titles and descriptions are compelling and relevant to users.

• Bounce Rate

Bounce rate measures the percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing only one page. A lower bounce rate suggests that your content is engaging and aligns with user expectations.

• Conversion Rate

The conversion rate measures the percentage of website visitors who take a desired action, such as purchasing or filling out a form. It reflects the effectiveness of your website in converting visitors into customers or leads.

Conclusion

Both ASO and SEO are pivotal for the success of digital products, whether they are apps or websites. As ASO and SEO are two different ecosystems serving different user intentions, it is very important to optimize your user acquisition strategy accordingly. Genplayers ASO services provide you with all the data and insights you need to find new keyword ranking opportunities, research competitors and monitor your app’s performance in the app stores.