LaunchLint Academy
The short answer
- App name, Apple subtitle, and Google Play short description have different jobs. They should match real search intent, communicate value, and stay truthful within current field limits.
- Do not begin with keyword repetition. Define audience and problem, rank phrases by relevance, distribute them without needless duplication, and measure impressions, product-page views, conversion, and product quality together.
- This checklist is not a one-time content exercise. Run it before the first store upload, after relevant dependency or configuration changes, and again immediately before release. Engineering, product, and the person controlling the store console must assess the same build. Static repository signals are valuable because they are reproducible, but they do not prove runtime behavior or backend responses. Combine them with tests of the signed artifact, official store declarations, and a recorded release decision.
1. Position in one sentence
Define the audience, concrete problem, main alternative, and defensible outcome before selecting keywords.
Treat position in one sentence as a reviewable property of the exact release candidate. Link the decision to the responsible file, store field, or reproducible device test. Record expected and observed behavior separately, assign an owner, and stop publication while a security or review contradiction remains unresolved.
Release review evidence
- Production state for position in one sentence identified
- Affected project file or store setting linked
- Check repeated on a clean device
- iOS and Android differences recorded
- Every open question has an owner and date
- Evidence contains no secrets or personal test data
2. Cluster search intent
Separate problem, feature, outcome, brand, and comparison searches, then prioritize intent the current build actually satisfies.
Treat cluster search intent as a reviewable property of the exact release candidate. Link the decision to the responsible file, store field, or reproducible device test. Record expected and observed behavior separately, assign an owner, and stop publication while a security or review contradiction remains unresolved.
Release review evidence
- Production state for cluster search intent identified
- Affected project file or store setting linked
- Check repeated on a clean device
- iOS and Android differences recorded
- Every open question has an owner and date
- Evidence contains no secrets or personal test data
3. Focus the app name
Keep the name distinctive, readable, and memorable. Add a category phrase only when it clarifies positioning.
Treat focus the app name as a reviewable property of the exact release candidate. Link the decision to the responsible file, store field, or reproducible device test. Record expected and observed behavior separately, assign an owner, and stop publication while a security or review contradiction remains unresolved.
Release review evidence
- Production state for focus the app name identified
- Affected project file or store setting linked
- Check repeated on a clean device
- iOS and Android differences recorded
- Every open question has an owner and date
- Evidence contains no secrets or personal test data
4. Use the Apple subtitle to add meaning
Explain benefit or audience rather than mechanically repeating the name and separate keyword field.
Treat use the apple subtitle to add meaning as a reviewable property of the exact release candidate. Link the decision to the responsible file, store field, or reproducible device test. Record expected and observed behavior separately, assign an owner, and stop publication while a security or review contradiction remains unresolved.
Release review evidence
- Production state for use the apple subtitle to add meaning identified
- Affected project file or store setting linked
- Check repeated on a clean device
- iOS and Android differences recorded
- Every open question has an owner and date
- Evidence contains no secrets or personal test data
5. Write Google short description for conversion
Use the extra space for concrete value and differentiation without stuffing, rankings, prices, or temporary promotion.
Treat write google short description for conversion as a reviewable property of the exact release candidate. Link the decision to the responsible file, store field, or reproducible device test. Record expected and observed behavior separately, assign an owner, and stop publication while a security or review contradiction remains unresolved.
Release review evidence
- Production state for write google short description for conversion identified
- Affected project file or store setting linked
- Check repeated on a clean device
- iOS and Android differences recorded
- Every open question has an owner and date
- Evidence contains no secrets or personal test data
6. Check limits and policies
Apple and Google cap these fields. Verify current limits before release and avoid third-party marks or misleading claims.
Treat check limits and policies as a reviewable property of the exact release candidate. Link the decision to the responsible file, store field, or reproducible device test. Record expected and observed behavior separately, assign an owner, and stop publication while a security or review contradiction remains unresolved.
Release review evidence
- Production state for check limits and policies identified
- Affected project file or store setting linked
- Check repeated on a clean device
- iOS and Android differences recorded
- Every open question has an owner and date
- Evidence contains no secrets or personal test data
7. Localize per market
Research regional search language, comprehension, and competitors; literal translation is not an ASO strategy.
Treat localize per market as a reviewable property of the exact release candidate. Link the decision to the responsible file, store field, or reproducible device test. Record expected and observed behavior separately, assign an owner, and stop publication while a security or review contradiction remains unresolved.
Release review evidence
- Production state for localize per market identified
- Affected project file or store setting linked
- Check repeated on a clean device
- iOS and Android differences recorded
- Every open question has an owner and date
- Evidence contains no secrets or personal test data
8. Plan measurement and iteration
Change one clear hypothesis where possible and assess discovery, conversion, activation, retention, and ratings rather than rank alone.
Treat plan measurement and iteration as a reviewable property of the exact release candidate. Link the decision to the responsible file, store field, or reproducible device test. Record expected and observed behavior separately, assign an owner, and stop publication while a security or review contradiction remains unresolved.
Release review evidence
- Production state for plan measurement and iteration identified
- Affected project file or store setting linked
- Check repeated on a clean device
- iOS and Android differences recorded
- Every open question has an owner and date
- Evidence contains no secrets or personal test data
Frequently asked questions
Should the main keyword be in the app name?
Only when it naturally describes the app without making the name generic or misleading.
What are the current field limits?
Apple currently lists 30 characters for name and subtitle; Google lists 30 for app name and 80 for short description. Recheck official sources before release.
Should keywords repeat?
Avoid mechanical duplication. Use each field for its purpose and prioritize readable relevance.
How quickly should metadata change?
Wait for a hypothesis, enough data, and a stable baseline. Constant changes prevent learning.