![Mobile App: use SEO so everyone can find you on internet [SEO checklist]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-seo-checklist-2_968685ba-1b4d-421b-9fe9-a6993ef81dff.png?v=1715867397&width=1100)
SEO isn't just for tech giants and e-commerce sites—it's a powerful tool that the best mobile apps use strategically to attract users.
We understand you're busy developing and managing your app, and the thought of optimizing it for search engines might feel like an added burden.
But here's the deal: you don't need to be an SEO expert or spend a fortune to make it work. Just a few simple steps can significantly improve your app's online visibility and bring more users to your platform.
To help you out, we have built a free SEO checklist - also, for a full action plan, please check our pack of marketing tactics and strategies for app developers.
Get the SEO checklist made for mobile app developers
The best mobile apps rank first on Google. Here is a free tool to to get you started.
What is SEO for mobile apps exactly?
Simply put, SEO is all about making your mobile app more attractive to search engines like Google.
When someone searches for "best productivity app" or "top fitness tracker," SEO helps your app show up in the results. The goal is to get your app higher up on the search results page so more people can find and download it.
Why is SEO Important for Mobile Apps?
SEO is incredibly important for mobile apps, and here’s why:
- Increased Online Visibility:
The higher your app ranks on search engines, the more people will see it. This means more potential users discovering your app online, especially when they're looking for solutions that your app provides.
- Higher Rankings on Search Engines:
Most people don’t look past the first page of search results. By optimizing your app's landing page, you can climb those rankings and beat out the competition. Imagine someone searching for "best task manager app" and finding your app right at the top!
- Attracting More Targeted Users:
SEO isn't just about getting anyone to your app—it's about getting the right people. Local SEO helps ensure that when someone nearby searches for a solution, your app pops up. This means more downloads and more engaged users.
Key Components of SEO
Now, let’s break down the main parts of SEO specifically for your mobile app:
On-Page SEO
This involves making sure the content on your app's landing page is optimized. It includes things like:
- Keywords:
Using the words and phrases people are searching for in your titles, descriptions, and content. For example, if your app is a fitness tracker, make sure you use phrases like "best fitness app" or "top workout tracker" on your site.
- Content Quality:
Providing useful, engaging, and fresh content about your app. Share features, user testimonials, updates, and stories about how your app can improve users' lives.
- Meta Tags:
Using meta titles and descriptions that are relevant and appealing to searchers. For instance, a meta description for your app's landing page could be "Boost your productivity with [Your App Name], the top-rated task manager app."
Off-Page SEO
This focuses on actions taken outside your app's landing page to impact your rankings:
- Backlinks:
Getting other reputable websites to link to your app's landing page, which signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy and relevant. This could be from tech bloggers, app review sites, or industry news pages.
- Social Media:
Being active on social media with your app’s page can drive traffic to your site and improve your online presence. Share updates, user reviews, and special features to engage with your audience.
Technical SEO
This ensures your app's landing page meets the technical requirements of search engines:
- Site Speed:
Making sure your landing page loads quickly. No one likes to wait, especially users eager to download your app!
- Mobile-Friendliness:
Ensuring your landing page looks and works well on mobile devices. Many people search for apps on their phones while on the go.
- Secure Website (HTTPS):
Having a secure website that users (and search engines) can trust. This is especially important if you have an online sign-up or payment system.
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Which keywords should you target for your mobile app?
App developers, like you, must target specific keywords in SEO because it helps your app appear in search results when potential users look for the type of functionality or experience your app offers. This increases the chances that people will find and download your app.
For example, if your app specializes in fitness tracking, targeting keywords like "best fitness app" or "fitness tracker app" helps attract users searching for those terms. This makes it easier for people interested in fitness tracking to find your app online.
Here are some keyword ideas for you. If you want a more developed strategy with actionable steps, go check out our strategy pack for app developers.
| Keyword | Competitiveness Level | Tips and Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| Best [App Type] app | High | Optimize your app store listing with high-quality screenshots, gather user reviews, and use app store optimization (ASO) strategies. |
| Top [Functionality] apps | Medium | Create blog posts or pages on your website highlighting your app's features, use keywords naturally in content, and engage with tech bloggers. |
| App for [Specific Use Case] | Medium | Use compelling imagery of your app in action, gather positive user reviews, and ensure your app store profile is complete and up-to-date. |
| Best app for [Target Audience] | Medium | Feature specific use cases prominently on your website (e.g., students, professionals), use ASO tactics, and promote user testimonials on social media. |
| [Your App Type] app for [Your City] | High | Highlight unique aspects of your app, create SEO-friendly content about your features, and engage with the local community online. |
| Top-rated [App Type] app | High | Encourage satisfied users to leave positive reviews, optimize your app for mobile, and ensure accurate information on app store listings. |
| Affordable [App Type] app | Low | Highlight affordable options and features on your website, use keywords related to value, and promote deals on social media. |
| Where to find [Functionality] apps | Medium | Use ASO strategies, create content around popular features, and ensure your app is optimized for mobile users searching nearby. |
| Popular [App Type] app | Medium | Use social media to share popular features, engage with tech influencers, and gather user testimonials to build credibility. |
| Best [App Type] app for families | Low | Create family-friendly content, highlight features for families on your website, and host family-themed events to generate buzz. |
What really matters when you do SEO for a mobile app
Actually, we think that SEO often follows the 80/20 rule, meaning that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. For mobile app developers, like you, this means it's crucial to focus on the right strategies to maximize impact without feeling overwhelmed.
| Action / Initiative | Why It Matters / How It Helps Bring New Users |
|---|---|
| Optimize App Store Listing | Ensures your app appears in relevant search results, provides essential information (description, screenshots, reviews), and builds trust with potential users. |
| Gather and respond to user reviews | Positive reviews build credibility and trust. Responding to reviews shows you value user feedback, encouraging more people to download your app. |
| Create high-quality content with targeted keywords | Helps your app rank higher in search results for relevant queries, attracting users looking for specific functionalities or experiences. |
| Optimize for local SEO | Ensures your app shows up in local searches (e.g., "apps for local services"), driving downloads from nearby potential users. |
| Ensure app is mobile-friendly | Most users search for apps on their phones. A mobile-friendly app provides a better user experience, leading to higher engagement and retention. |
| Use high-quality images and videos | Attractive visuals entice potential users, showcasing your app's features and interface, which can significantly influence their decision to download. |
| Include a detailed app description with keywords | Allows search engines to index your app, helping you appear in searches for specific functionalities, and makes it easy for users to understand what you offer. |
| List your app on relevant directories | Increases your online presence and backlinks, improving your search engine ranking and making it easier for users to find you. |
| Engage with tech bloggers and influencers | Generates buzz and word-of-mouth, reaching a wider audience and attracting users who trust these voices. |
| Promote special features and updates | Creates a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging potential users to download your app for unique experiences. |
| Utilize social media to share updates and engage with users | Builds a community around your app, keeps users informed about new features, and drives traffic to your app store listing. |
| Ensure accurate and consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all platforms | Prevents confusion, helps search engines trust your business information, and improves your local SEO ranking. |
| Offer in-app purchases and subscriptions | Makes it convenient for users to access premium features, leading to increased revenue and user engagement. |
| Create blog posts about your app's features and user experience | Attracts visitors to your site through informative and engaging content, improving SEO and showcasing what makes your app unique. |
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What is always useless when you do SEO for a mobile app
We have studied a lot of mobile apps when we built our strategy pack and we saw a lot of SEO-related initiatives that don't help attract new users. We explain here why they might be a waste of time or even counterproductive.
| Action / Initiative | Why It Doesn't Matter / How It Doesn't Help Bring New Users |
|---|---|
| Using meta keyword tags | Search engines no longer use meta keyword tags to rank pages, so focusing on them doesn't improve SEO for your mobile app. |
| Keyword stuffing in app descriptions | Overusing keywords in app descriptions makes them hard to read and can be penalized by search engines, turning away potential users. |
| Paying for backlinks from unrelated websites | Backlinks from non-tech related or low-quality websites don't improve your SEO and can even hurt your ranking if considered spammy by search engines. |
| Using exact match domains like bestmobileapp.com | Having an exact match domain has minimal impact on SEO and can appear spammy, especially if it doesn't reflect your brand well. |
| Creating multiple pages for the same app features | Duplicate content confuses search engines and can dilute your SEO efforts. Focus on one high-quality page for each unique feature or topic. |
| Using Flash for app demo pages | Flash is outdated, not supported by many devices, and negatively impacts SEO. Modern alternatives like HTML5 should be used instead. |
| Focusing only on desktop optimization | Many users search for apps on mobile devices. Ignoring mobile optimization leads to poor user experience and lower search rankings. |
| Using automated link-building tools | These tools often create low-quality or spammy links that can be penalized by search engines, hurting your app's SEO efforts. |
| Ignoring structured data for app features | Structured data helps search engines understand your app better. Ignoring it means missing out on potential SEO benefits like rich snippets. |
| Not updating your app content regularly | Outdated app information can frustrate users and harm your SEO. Regular updates keep content relevant and maintain search rankings. |
| Using irrelevant stock photos on your site | Low-quality or irrelevant images can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use high-quality screenshots and visuals of your actual app. |
| Over-optimizing anchor text in links | Using exact match keywords for every link appears unnatural and can be penalized by search engines. Use varied, natural anchor text instead. |
| Ignoring page load speed for your website | Slow-loading pages frustrate users and can lead to higher bounce rates, negatively impacting your app's SEO. Ensure your site loads quickly. |
| Using too many ads above the fold on your homepage | Too many ads at the top of the page can be off-putting for users and may be penalized by search engines, impacting your SEO negatively. |
Should you pay someone for the SEO of your mobile app?
Well, we will be transparent. Here’s the thing: SEO can get pretty complex, and having some support can really make a difference. Imagine trying to juggle developing your mobile app, managing updates, keeping users engaged, and then on top of that, diving into the world of search engine optimization. It’s a lot, right?
Having someone handle your SEO means you can focus on what you do best—enhancing your mobile app. SEO experts know the ins and outs of getting your app to rank higher on search engines and app stores. They stay updated on the latest trends and algorithms, which means your app will be optimized correctly and consistently. This can lead to more people finding your app online, and ultimately, more downloads and active users.
- But here’s the kicker: there are a lot of low-hanging fruits in SEO that you can tackle on your own, even if you don’t know much about it.
You will find a lot of low-hanging fruits that cost nothing, are quick to implement, and will make your mobile app much more visible in strategy pack for app developers.
Simple actions like optimizing your app store listing, ensuring your app is user-friendly, and using relevant keywords can significantly improve your online presence. These tasks don't require deep technical knowledge but can make a big impact.
So, should you increase the marketing budget of your mobile app and pay someone to manage your SEO? If you can do it, it’s a worthwhile investment. But don't underestimate what you can achieve on your own. Start with the basics, see the results, and then decide if you need more specialized help.
Make your mobile app more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best mobile apps in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Useful tools mobile app developers can use for their SEO
Here are some essential tools that our team has gathered to help you enhance your mobile app's online presence and SEO.
| Tool | How It's Useful |
|---|---|
| Google My Business | Ensures your app appears in local search results and Google Maps, provides essential information (hours, location, features), and collects user reviews. |
| SEMrush | Helps identify the best keywords for your app, analyze competitors, and track your search rankings. Provides insights to improve your content and visibility. |
| Yext | Manages your app's listings across multiple directories, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information to boost local SEO. |
| Google Search Console | Monitors your app's website performance, identifies issues, and provides data on search traffic and keywords to optimize your SEO strategy. |
| Yelp | Collects user reviews and ratings, which improve your app's online reputation and visibility in local search results. |
| BrightLocal | Offers tools for local SEO audits, citation building, and review management, helping your app improve its local search presence. |
| Moz | Provides keyword research, link building, and site audit tools to enhance your app's SEO efforts and improve search engine rankings. |
| Ahrefs | Analyzes your app's backlink profile, identifies top-performing content, and tracks keyword rankings to boost your SEO strategy. |
| Screaming Frog SEO Spider | Crawls your app's website to identify technical SEO issues, such as broken links and duplicate content, helping improve site health and rankings. |
| AnswerThePublic | Generates content ideas by showing what people are searching for related to your app, helping you create relevant and engaging blog posts and pages. |
| Canva | Helps create visually appealing social media posts and graphics for your app's website, which can improve user engagement and indirectly boost SEO. |
| Hotjar | Provides insights into user behavior on your app's website through heatmaps and session recordings, helping you optimize user experience and reduce bounce rates. |
Copy the SEO tactics of the best mobile app developers
We understand why many app developers might shy away from SEO and marketing.
Managing a mobile app is already a full-time job, and the concept of SEO can seem vague and foreign. The terminology can be confusing, and it often feels like marketing is a luxury only big corporations can afford.
Plus, there's the constant worry about costs and whether any marketing efforts will actually pay off. We get that you prefer to focus on immediate, tangible improvements to your app rather than dive into something that seems complicated and uncertain. No need to deteriorate your app’s budget here.
That's why we've created a "marketing pack" specifically for app developers like you.
Our pack is designed to address all these concerns head-on. It includes easy-to-follow guides that break down SEO and marketing into simple steps, so you don't need to be a tech expert to understand. We offer cost-effective strategies that fit within tight budgets, and our step-by-step plans ensure that you can implement a good marketing strategy for your app without feeling overwhelmed.
Plus, we've included real-life examples and tips that have worked for other small app developers, so you can see the tangible benefits before you even start.
Our goal is to make marketing accessible and practical, helping your app thrive without adding extra stress to your already busy life.
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