Raw Startup

How to Rank #1 in the App Store

The video walks through a step‑by‑step App Store Optimization (ASO) framework designed to push a new app to the #1 spot in the Apple App Store. It contrasts ASO with paid acquisition, emphasizing that proper metadata can deliver organic users precisely when they search. Key tactics include targeting mid‑popularity keywords (score 20‑30) rather than battling for generic high‑volume terms, structuring the title, subtitle and keyword field as a prioritized sentence, and embedding the top keywords in the first three screenshots so Apple’s OCR can index them. The presenter also stresses optimizing for ratings—prompting requests after a user’s achievement—to exploit the most powerful ranking factor that lives inside the app. Real‑world examples illustrate the approach: Voda switched from “independent restaurant ratings” to “restaurant finder” and climbed to the top ten for multiple niche terms; Headspace’s metadata places “meditation” immediately after the brand name, securing the top spot for that keyword. The speaker warns against duplicate keywords, using competitor names, buying reviews or offering incentives, noting that Apple routinely rejects or bans accounts that violate these policies. For developers, adhering to these dos and avoiding the listed don’ts can mean the difference between obscurity and a steady influx of organic installs, while staying compliant protects the developer’s Apple account. Mastering ASO therefore becomes a cost‑effective growth engine in a competitive marketplace.