ASO Keywords Not to Use
Keywords to never ever use….ever!!
-There is no such thing as “blacklisted keywords”.
-In the App Store a person reads the app description to determine what the app is about and whether or not the keywords are relevant. Keywords will be removed from the Keyword Field or the app faces rejection until keywords are removed from the title.
-This list is just an example. Apple has cut down titles to an average of 80 characters since December 2014. Upon update many apps are being rejected. Therefore, the keywords in titles no longer have more weight than the title. That loophole has closed.
-Some of these keywords are obvious but a general rule of thumb is nothing which is trademarked, brand names, requires licensing fees, is not completely “G” rated, titles of popular apps (exact match).
-If I was to use any of these keywords it would be in the title and not the keyword field.
-As reskinning has become easier, more popular (especially in Asia), less expensive and the volume of reskins has increased keywords have become diluted, leaving very few choices for keywords for games. Whereas ASO for apps other than games remains the best way to acquire new users, game publishers are having to spend more and more money on CPI/CPA campaigns to get the same number of downloads.
-The list below is what my ASO team and I have noticed over the last 2 years. I hope this helps you when outsourcing ASO or for your own ASO pursuits. Thanks again for ordering my gig. Good luck!
-Apple, “i” anything
-Mac
-Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, etc. (or any social media apps)
-HD
-Lite
-iPhone
-iPad
-iPod
-Pro
-Online
-Mobile
-Game Center
-Multiplayer
-Guide
-App
-Game
-Fantasy
-Edition
-Kids
-Boys
-Girls
-Family
-Teen
-Friends
-Puzzle
-Trivia
-Casino
-Vegas
-777
-Slots
-Blackjack
-Card
-Strategy
-Simulator
-Racing
-Jungle
-Crush
-Adventure
-Challenge
-Saga
-Flappy
-Candy
-Temple
-Birds
-Farm
-Rush
-Best
-Deluxe
-Classic
-Epic
-Top
-Jump
-Collect
-Endless
-Runner
-RPG
-Fly
-Fun
-Tap
-Super
-Coin
-New
-For
-The
-A
-LOL
-1,2,3, etc. (never use numbers)
-Photography (too long, when you could fit 2 keywords and a comma in there- i.e. foto)
-Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto, Sims, etc. (trademarked and branded. bad idea)
-Ninja
-Zombies
-Magic
-Jungle
-City
-Mountain
-Chat
-Social
-Share
-Pic
-+ or signs
-NBA, World Cup, FIFA, etc. (licensed companies)
-iOS8, etc.
As mentioned previously the above is mostly in the Games Category and it is impossible to rank these terms.