No 1. App Store Optimization Services

Finding the Right App Store Optimization Partner, Wherever You Are

App store optimization agency selection criteria

When comparing an app store optimization agency, look past the pitch deck and check three things directly: a named point of contact for your account, a sample monthly report format, and references from apps in a comparable category to yours. A credible agency will walk you through its keyword research method (manual search plus tool-based volume checks) rather than claiming a proprietary black-box algorithm. Ask how many apps one strategist manages at a time, since an overloaded team tends to slow down iteration cycles and delay A/B test results.

App store optimization company credentials to check

A company worth shortlisting should hold a track record across both Google Play and Apple App Store submissions, since the two platforms have different review processes, metadata limits, and update cycles. Ask to see a list of apps currently live under their management, not just completed projects, since ASO is an ongoing discipline rather than a one-time delivery. Confirm whether the company builds creative assets in-house or outsources design, as this affects how quickly icon and screenshot variants get tested and shipped.

What app store optimization services typically cost and include

Pricing for app store optimization services is generally set by scope: number of keywords tracked, number of markets localized, and frequency of creative testing. A single-market, single-platform engagement with monthly reporting sits at the lower end of typical agency pricing bands, while a multi-market, dual-platform retainer with weekly A/B testing and review management sits higher. Ask any provider to break down their quote by these three levers (keyword count, markets, testing frequency) so you can compare proposals on equal terms rather than a single bottom-line number.

Working with an India-based ASO team remotely

Businesses sourcing app store optimization from India typically work with teams across overlapping hours using async reporting, shared dashboards, and scheduled video calls rather than full real-time overlap. Before starting, prepare your app store listing credentials (Play Console and App Store Connect access), any existing keyword or analytics data, and your target markets. Expect an onboarding period of one to two weeks for keyword audits and competitor analysis before the first round of changes goes live, followed by monthly cycles of testing and reporting thereafter. Time zone gaps are usually managed with a daily or twice-weekly status update plus a shared tracker, so confirm this communication rhythm before signing.

Where search engine optimization and app store optimization overlap

Search engine optimization and app store optimization share a goal (getting found by the right searcher) but operate on different platforms with different signals. SEO targets Google and other web search engines using backlinks, page content, and site structure. ASO targets Google Play and Apple App Store search and browse results using app title, metadata, keyword fields, ratings, and install velocity. A business that needs both should check whether a single provider genuinely runs both disciplines or whether one is a secondary add-on to the other, since the research methods and reporting metrics differ.

Shortlisting multiple ASO agencies without wasting time

Narrow a long list to three or four agencies by requesting the same two items from each: a sample keyword strategy document and a sample monthly report. Score them on specificity (named keywords, named metrics) rather than general claims. Eliminate any agency unwilling to name the platform they specialize in or unwilling to share a reporting sample before a contract is signed. This keeps the comparison objective and avoids choosing based on sales presentation alone.

Reach out to discuss your app's current listing and get a tailored ASO plan.