Keyword localization (ASO)

Keywords can be localized, and users can search with localized keywords in all countries or regions where the localization is shown. When you add a language, screenshots and properties default to the primary language's, except the description and keywords. Keywords for the new language start empty, so nothing is localized until you write it.

People often search with a different word than the dictionary translation. A literal translation may be correct and still unsearched. The research steps are the same as in keyword research, done per storefront.

The field holds 100 bytes in every language. Counted in UTF-8, the same budget holds very different amounts:

Terms must also be longer than two characters, so a Japanese entry needs at least three characters. See byte limit and CJK characters.

1. Translate your best English keywords as a starting list, with AI or a translator.
2. Check each against the local results for volume, difficulty and relevance.
3. Add terms natives use that have no English equivalent.
4. Pack them in 100 bytes.
5. Re-check ranks after the update.

LocalASO uses the AI you bring (Claude Code, an Anthropic API key, Ollama, Codex or Gemini CLI) for drafts, and you review the result.

Follow the localization guide and the localization docs.

Related: machine translation and transcreation.