How we measure and check facts

Volume and difficulty are estimates

LocalASO’s volume and difficulty are 0-100 estimates derived from the rating counts of the apps that rank for a keyword in Apple’s public search results, not Apple search counts. The formulas are published in the search volume and difficulty guide. Rating counts lag behind current popularity, small storefronts produce low numbers, and seasonality and paid ads are not included. Use the numbers to compare keywords with each other.

Ranks

Ranks come from Apple’s public iTunes Search API for each storefront. Results can differ from what a person sees on a device, because the App Store can personalize and update results at any time.

Original research

Our research pages use only the public iTunes Search API, at a polite rate below Apple’s stated limit of about 20 calls per minute. Each page states the sample, the date the data was collected and the method, and links to the raw CSV. When we re-run a study, we update the page in place and add a dated note. If a result does not support a hypothesis, we say so.

Facts about Apple and other tools

• Every App Store rule on this site (limits, keyword rules, localizations) is taken from Apple’s own documentation and linked in the page’s sources with the date we checked it.
• Where Apple does not document something (for example how plurals or word combinations are matched), we say so instead of guessing, and explain how to test it.
• Prices and features of other ASO tools come only from their own public pages, are dated “as of” the check, and are re-checked at least every 120 days. Each comparison says when the other tool is the better choice.
• We publish no reviews, ratings or testimonials that are not real.

Corrections

Mistakes get fixed and logged on the corrections page. Guides, glossary, answers and research pages show the date they were last updated.

LocalASO is not affiliated with Apple Inc. App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc. See about LocalASO and pricing.