ASO in 2026: how apps get discovered today
App Store Optimization is the growth engine behind our apps, from Photo Translator to PDF Scanner. Over 2025–2026 the rules of the game changed noticeably. Here's what we see in practice.
The algorithm reads your screenshots
Since Apple's mid-2025 algorithm update, text on screenshots is indexed by search. Screenshot captions can no longer be written "for looks" — they must contain the phrases people search for. Visual content has become part of your keyword strategy.
Users ask AI, not the search bar
The most visible shift of 2026: more and more people first ask ChatGPT, Gemini or Apple Intelligence "which app should I use for…" and only then open the App Store. You now optimize not just for store search but for how AI assistants describe your product: a clear description, consistent mentions across the web, genuine reviews.
Redownloads matter more than you think
According to the App Store Transparency Report, weekly redownloads outnumber new downloads more than two to one. The takeaway: user re-engagement is a separate funnel. Push strategy, in-app events and metadata freshness work for it too.
Custom Product Pages
The CPP limit grew from 35 to 70 — no longer just a paid-traffic tool but a full part of ASO: separate pages for different audience segments and search intents.
Localization is a top-3 factor
Store page localization has become one of the strongest growth levers. Our experience confirms it: translating the pages of our translators and scanner delivered a clear conversion lift in non-English markets.
A quick ASO checklist for 2026
- Revisit your screenshot captions — they're indexed now
- Watch rating freshness: recent ratings weigh more
- Test custom product pages for different audiences
- Localize your page for every market where you have traffic
- Check what AI assistants "know" about your app
