LocalASOASO glossary
Dead keyword (ASO)
A dead keyword is a term whose search volume is so low that it is not worth a place in your metadata. In LocalASO the Dead verdict means volume is very low: not worth a slot.
Updated
Why it matters
The keyword field accepts only 100 bytes, and the app name and subtitle hold 30 characters each. Every byte used by a term nobody searches is a byte not used by one people do. Apple advises avoiding waste, for example plurals of words already included and generic filler words.
Dead versus Swap
| Verdict | Situation | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Dead | Volume is very low | Remove; not worth a slot |
| Swap | You rank in the top 10, but almost nobody searches it | Replace the keyword |
A Swap term brings you a rank you cannot monetize, so the position itself is no reason to keep it. See keyword swap.
Example
A hypothetical habit tracker has tracker,habit,habitual,streaks,planner,routines,journaling in its keyword field (58 bytes of 100). Checks show "habitual" has very low volume. Removing it frees 9 bytes (the word plus its comma), enough for focus (6 bytes with comma) or a short phrase.
When to keep a low-volume term
- It is the only honest name for a feature, and its searchers are exactly your audience.
- The volume estimate is low only because ratings of top apps are few. LocalASO's volume is an estimate from rating counts and not an Apple search count, so a new niche can score low.
- It is a long-tail keyword in a language you are just entering.
Next step
Rework your list with the keyword field packer and check search volume for each new candidate.
Another low-value case is repetition; see keyword cannibalization.
Sources
- Apple: developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/reference/platform-version-information#keywords (checked November 1, 2026)
- Apple: developer.apple.com/app-store/search (checked November 1, 2026)
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