App Store screenshots with text boost retention by almost 90%
you must make it irresistible for the user to download your app
don’t just say bs like “take control”, “feel the music”, etc
that means nothing!
you are losing app downloads and revenue just because of that
#aso
Don't be afraid to ZOOM IN extremely on the content in your App Store screenshots
We conducted A/B testing on around 100 screenshots, focusing on elements like widgets and other small UI components. Each time, we zoomed in on these elements more and more
The result? ≈10%
After I added social proof and authority to a customer's Apple Store, their conversion increased by 20%.
Don't use phrases like "Number
#1
Calendar app."
If you don’t want to lose conversion rate, you need to add a value proposition.
For example: "Since I started using the
A client needed App Store screenshots; he found my work on X, loved the style, and immediately DM'd me
Now he has already increased his total revenue by 8%
Here’s the reality: your talent alone isn’t enough
First, you need to be seen. You need to know how to help your
@justinmfarrugia
I worked in the gaming industry for a while now as a UX/UI designer and you wouldn't believe how advanced is the way of working, design mindset, etc compared to an average software company struggling to make a website
Successful app founders DO NOT risk losing downloads (and revenue)
Sometimes you just need to make a simple move
Don’t overshoot your app, focus on ONE single user target
That’s why I loved working with
@frboulais
on his app that helps you not get fat
You want users to
Most companies misunderstand how ASO and App Store screenshots work in general.
As a fact, users only scan a tiny fraction of the content inside your App Store
just like websites, only 10% of users scroll down to see the full content
you don't have the luxury to add as many
If you have problems growing your app, do this:
A +600% revenue increase from
@daniel_reiling
app.
Some will spend weeks focused on choosing a primary color.
That’s because they don’t understand the foundations of the App Store itself.
Actions taken:
- New screenshots with a
A customer got a 4.35% increase in CTR by just adding a video on the App Store
4% is NOT a small number for apps with thousands of downloads and reviews
A 4% increase in CTR can literally turn into a huge revenue increase
The app has over 60k ratings, meaning it has a lot of
Inside the App Store, people typically spend just 1 second scanning one screenshot
don’t waste that precious user attention
a screenshot of an entire feature won’t make the user stop and try to understand what the app does
what I've found works better is to have a short yet
Without an ASO video, you are leaving downloads on the table
- Videos autoplay when scrolling, capturing users' attention*
- Boost your downloads and outperform your competitors
- Use them for the App Store or your ad campaigns
- Make your app features pop
*if the user has low
You can now segment users to different App Stores. Apple finally made this possible.
In the past, you could only have one store active at a time.
Now you can craft very targeted App Stores, allowing you to target different audiences and increase the CTR for each segment.
This
A 10% increase in ASO is much more than just 10% more downloads
In the long run, it will help climb to top positions and move higher than competitors
It will drive more sales, and the algorithm likes that!
But that initial increase has turned into an improvement in rankings in
Revamped my app with a new app icon + screenshots created by
@designerants
last month. Here are the results:
Paying subs 🔼 100%
Downloads 🔼 117%
New ratings month over month change 🔼 56%
App rating 🔼 0.03%
tech-savvy people use their iPhones in dark mode
that's why knowing who your target users are will greatly influence how your App Store screenshots look
for more complex and technical apps targeting developers, it's essential to stand out on the App Store by using screenshots
Starting this year, my former company laid off my entire branch
After 6 months, they are now calling me to come back
Meanwhile, in those 6 months, I launched my business on Twitter
I have since improved the conversion rate of over 100 apps by creating screenshots focused on
Remade the screenshots for the Aqua Wallet (
@JAN3com
) App Store.
I think they will convert x2 to x3 times more, which makes a huge impact on the success of an app. It’s sad for me when a true technical wonder has a bad storefront.
A x2 conversion can turn a failed project into
A year ago most of my design coworkers were afraid of AI taking their jobs.
Since then, I integrated those new tools into my arsenal, openly embracing the change.
Now, after creating my studio I earn more than my old designer job, thanks to AI I can easily do the work of 5
New macbook vibes ✨
Finally Apple did something good:
- Added HDMI port
- Back to old MagSafe charging port 🤌
- Removed keyboard touchbar
- I'm still waiting for USB port
💻 MacBook Pro M2 PRO
#WWDC23
I found a strange loophole where lower CTR led to more revenue.
At first, it made no sense.
The foundational knowledge behind this fact can change your marketing strategy.
Everything started when I was changing screenshots for a specific group of apps.
The conversion rate
new fresh App Store screenshots for by
@jbenavidesv
are live ✨
but this doesn't stop here
this is an iterative process with multiple A/B tests to find the perfect combination of screenshots that perform better
First time working on ASO for Pictura to improve the conversion rate of 4.86%
Not sure what I am doing, not sure where I am going. But for sure, I need to improve the screenshots.
Look at these amazing new ones made by
@designerants
for both iOS and macOS.
You can check them
Marketing and ASO are just a competition for human attention.
If everyone is doing the same trick, nothing will attract eyes.
You cannot take the luxury to design your app branding without checking your competitors.
If you want to stand out, check your app competitors branding
While everyone is suffering from hangover on a Sunday
I'm happily designing and crafting your amazing App Store screenshots
Literally creating value for all my clients
You can do whatever you want on a Sunday, but I prefer to work
this app conversion rate was not even 1% before
just by changing the App Store screenshots the conversion rate improved by +50%
the power of well crafted screenshots literally means more app revenue for you
#ASO
Nobody cares what your app does
Imagine having an app to buy bitcoin, but the screenshots are filled with explanations about blockchain
Ridiculous, right?
You don’t need to show EVERYTHING your app does inside the app store screenshots
Users want to see what matters to them
I am not like 90% of the other designers.
I craft App Store screenshots my own way
I actually download your app and USE IT for at least a day
thanks to that, I've helped multiple clients discover app bugs or really bad UX issues (and they were surprised that I was using the
@michalmalewicz
most of the times yes, specially if it's web
you cut a lot of middleman and you become more productive
who better to implement something you've created in your mind than yourself?
it's like a cook that writes a recipe, but never actually cooks it
we are already seeing pretty
If you wonder why some apps have a cool banner on their App Store page and others don't...
the App Store team decides which apps can have that type of banner artwork on their App Store page, usually for big apps
it’s kind of a way to "feature" your app
you can only get this by
What is this top header image on Peloton App Store listing? Is it because they featured in App Store? It's not screenshots or app icon like you see on majority of other apps.
@designerants
?
Them: "It was luck"
Me: ended up with more than 40 App Store screenshot variations for one app
Every time I see a new app, I have too many ideas I want to test out
I think moving CTR up triggers my dopamine receptors
One of the 3 sets of screenshots for the new
@jordansamz
Photo Printer app on the App Store
In total there are around 30 different screenshots that can be used to create infinite A/B test variations
Simply changing the order of the screenshots, the copy, or the background
There are only two kinds of customers:
1st:
- send a NDA
- ask for a discount
- need three meetings to decide
- require a 20-page contract
2nd:
- Invoice paid, thanks
the left set of screenshots has a dark background and the majority of the audience that uses these types of apps has their iphone on light mode
so darker screenshots over a light App Store background make a better contrast, it stands out
- people stop scrolling at the
🔴 Morning ASO experts & App Founders! 🟢 On this 🌮 Tuesday, I have a screenshot challenge for you. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫?
Both are fine, however, the left will perform better for simplicity, why? 𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 👇🏼
Reading is obsolete!
People spend 80% more time on websites with videos
People consume video content more than ever
I was lazy to create videos, edit them, publish
That's why we build 🎬
Just add your text and done, video generated!
#buildinpublic
App Store screenshots resembling pieces of art often convert poorly
in a competitive market where attention is key, aesthetics don't necessarily translate to more downloads
"Beauty" is subjective
simpler designs that are clear and concise tend to perform better
less noise is
for apps that don't need an onboarding and they force me to do it, it's an instant uninstall
I don't know why this is a trend now, but at least in some app categories, having an onboarding right after installing the app gives the user a sense of "personalization" of the
there are also many app developers and publishers who are reluctant to add what their app does in the name or have the name directly as keywords for ranking
instead, they prefer to have a 'brand' or a name that is very difficult to get recognized unless you have a large budget
ASO is not just keeping your app's title <30 characters
it's knowing the title is easily truncated in search if it's >29 characters/has too many uppercase letters
example below from Cync/
@GELighting
: 30 characters, 4 uppercase letters, 9 characters hidden, ouch..
DM's open
What people see:
- new fresh App Store screenshots ✨
What people don’t see:
- pre-work hours spent using every app 💪
- understanding the app audience and target audience 🎯
- infinite hours spent designing screenshots in my head before going to sleep 🧠
- spying on app
+35% improvement in conversion on
@daniel_reiling
app 🚀
- adding an app preview video
- new screenshots crafted to maximize conversion
- new app icons to differentiate from competitors
- A/B testing
all of that was key to increasing that number
Without an ASO video, you are leaving downloads on the table
- Videos autoplay when scrolling, capturing users' attention*
- Boost your downloads and outperform your competitors
- Use them for the App Store or your ad campaigns
- Make your app features pop
*if the user has low
App Store vs. Google Play Store: What the difference?
In the search for apps, App Store grabs attention with screenshot previews right on the search results
while Google Play leaves it to your app icon and title
you need to rely on eye-catching icon and a killer app title to
higher CR → more downloads → more app revenue → higher rankings
the App Store algo prioritizes download volume and app revenue for ranking
the more money your app generates, the better it will be ranked because that means more money for Apple too
for example, increasing CR
@designerants
What do you think does CR percentage directly affect rankings?
And how big is impact
For example screenshots with 5% and screenshots with 15% CR
Is it because of downloads rise or CR percentage?
in 3 weeks I increased by +100% the conversion rate of this app
the app was struggling with downloads but it had so much potential
all I told the client was to upload new App Store screenshots
#ASO
you just have 7 seconds to convince a user to download your app
your App Store screenshots are the only thing that the user will look at
and they will read just 20% of the text
you must grab their attention from the first second
that's why you need professional screenshots
you won't believe how many app users make a payment before even using the app because they are desperately searching for a solution to their problem
the more $$$ your app makes, the better it will rank on the App Store because that is literally more money for apple
this also
5 app growth strategies that are contrary to popular belief...
1) Paywall during first-time user experience:
60-80% of all your purchases happen BEFORE users actually use your app.
your App Store screenshots need to have a scroll-stopping factor
app brand visuals usually don't matter if you didn't spend thousands of $ on marketing campaigns to acquire users
the App Store promotes apps that generate revenue
the first thing your users see are the
🟢 Hi App Founders & ASO experts! As promised💥here's my free expanded article on last week's popular Screenshots post. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗪𝗛𝗬 & 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱
instead of showcasing features, if you communicate why the user can't miss the opportunity to download your app, you will get better conversion rates
boring long texts are almost always missed, users just scan key elements on the screenshots
of course you need to show how your
Just a quick heads-up about app store screenshots:
Remember, users want to see the real deal: *actual* app screenshots that give them a taste of what your app can do.
Keep the spotlight on those screenshots. Skip the flashy stuff; we're not posting on Instagram here!
clean App Store screenshots = better conversion rates
communicating what the app actually does right away is crucial if you want your target users to download your app
App Store screenshots with overcrowded visuals usually perform worse, as they don't convey a sense of trust to
I would love to see the result of that small order change! In the end, you are still showing the same three screenshots
You need to place a new one in the first three positions to really see the difference in playing with order
Keep the experiment running until the confidence
I started my first A/B test for testing “screenshot positions” 🔍, you won’t believe but even that kind of small thing can make an effect! 😵💫
Can’t wait to see the results after 1 week. ⏳
#buildinpublic
#ios
#apple
#app
#iosdev
#developer
I was hesitant to share this, but every time I post on X, it creates a problem.
Post -> more website visitors -> more customers -> a bigger queue.
Which is great!
The problem? Scaling this.
I don’t want to lower my quality.
So yes, that’s the main reason I’ve stopped posting
I saw improvements of +50% on the conversion rate just by changing one App Store screenshot
You need to persuade users to download your app within the first 3 screenshots
If not, you're done, that's it
You've lost a chance to secure a download
and that user may remember your
Introducing
A handy tool to make sentimental analysis easier.
What's a sentimental analysis you ask?
Sentiment analysis is the process of analyzing digital text to determine if the emotional tone of the message is positive, negative, or neutral.
Why a
Approximately 80% of the App Store screenshots I created last year were either related to AI or directly involved ChatGPT wrappers
I’ve seen this kind of “trend” in the past
crypto apps, barcode scanners, fitness apps, productivity tools…
But AI is no longer just a passing
100+ YouTube thumbnail versions for A/B testing just one video
The same happens with your App Store screenshots
With clients, we've tried in many cases over 200 different screenshot versions for one single app to find the perfect combination that converts more into app
how I get Apps approved on App Store on the first submission:
I don't use +18 words inside the screenshots, like “dir**”, “se**”, “s**”
I don't use emojis inside the app icon
I don't encourage alcohol or drugs consumption inside the screenshots
#aso
#buildinpublic
comparison of search results for the keywords "buy bitcoin" on the App Store versus the Google Play Store shows different outcomes
you should strive to create eye-catching screenshots for the App Store
while for the Google Play Store, what truly matters is having an icon that
App Store vs. Google Play Store: What the difference?
In the search for apps, App Store grabs attention with screenshot previews right on the search results
while Google Play leaves it to your app icon and title
you need to rely on eye-catching icon and a killer app title to
Crafting App Store screenshots and beyond 🚀
Behind all the designs, there's a long-term growth approach
Planning A/B tests, standing out from competitors, finding out what converts more (e.g. video or no video preview?)
It's not just about staying on the surface and designing
I love working 100x more than someone at at 9-5 job
I work 7 days a week
weekends doing "nothing" doesn't exist for me
btw, this is how most of your App Store screenshots are designed
I just use my Macbook screen because if I don't, I'm not free to work anywhere
the point is:
better conversion = more downloads = more revenue (if the app is properly monetized)
screenshots and app icons can be perfectly A/B tested, so there's no risk there!
for app descriptions, etc... there are some ways you can "A/B test", for example, you can
Proper title, subtitle, logo, and screenshot can increase your conversion rate significantly.
Here is an improvement for one of my apps that went from 14% to 20% within a week.
confidence needs to go up to 80-90% to see real results
the original treatment in this case is clearer and more straightforward
screenshots that are more "artistic" tend to always perform worse
people think that if the screenshots are "beautiful," they will do better, but the
Most people think that Treatment A will perform better.
But based on the first 5 days' results, the original treatment is 17% more effective 👀
Only 6% confident, we need more time. But Still.
@ThePrimeagen
I don't understand 90% of code related stuff you explain, but you were introduced to me by my software engineer husband and now I watch you because your awesome vibes and jokes :)
@the_gonchar
I've tested this multiple times and 100% agree
that's why most mobile games and gamified apps have a main character that "guides" the player, gives the currency, etc
think about Duolingo, Monopoly GO...
Your main focus in design should not solely be on subjective beauty.
Instead, prioritize achieving high conversion rates.
Whether your design originates from a template or not, what matters most is its ability to perform well and serve its intended purpose.
@MichaelFilipiuk
can't you just use another font? after all, you are in charge of the design, plus have the knowledge, and that's what you're paid for
if they want to interfere with "branding" decisions instead of focusing on converting and making money, that's their choice
successful apps and mobile games are always in an "A/B test mode"
you simply can't let an app stand alone without a growth approach
that's why long-term strategies for optimizing the product page are better than just trying to make "quick wins"
I always make sure that there is some test running, even when this particular app is not my priority.
So sometimes I run A/B tests that are low-effort. Like this one.
I increased the text opacity and added a small emoji.
I was sure that the conversion rate will improve↓
@ThePeterMick
I'm a designer who actually builds real products that convert.
I love sharing bitter truth about the tech industry.
And I build my own project too, right now
one day, while I was designing screenshots for an app, and after using the app for several days, I discovered that at a certain point the paywall stopped working
meaning NO REVENUE for the app developer 😱
one of the benefits of my personalized way of working is that often I
What people see:
- new fresh App Store screenshots ✨
What people don’t see:
- pre-work hours spent using every app 💪
- understanding the app audience and target audience 🎯
- infinite hours spent designing screenshots in my head before going to sleep 🧠
- spying on app
@seraleev
Through my years working in the mobile gaming industry, what has worked best is a combination of all three:
- Subscription
- Ads
- In-app purchases
It's true that most of the games used the subscription model to remove ads for the player.
But occasionally, the player would
@NapierHolland
@levelsio
most designers just copy "sexy" designs becauae their bosses told them to and don't want to argue and get fired, that's why if you design something that converts and its' "ugly", you will get nothing but complains and change requests
Things that surprise me about the App Store and Apple:
1) there is no native iOS Calculator app for iPad
2) there is no native Calendar app for Apple Watch
there's a huge niche there
#AppStore
@MarkLIVE
the left set of screenshots has a dark background and the majority of the audience that uses these types of apps has their iphone on light mode
so darker screenshots over a light App Store background make a better contrast, it stands out
- people stop scrolling at the
@levelsio
the same happens with the majority of designers
they tend to be totally disconnected from the business side
you make designs to generate more revenue, not to cause pain to the devs or satisfy product managers' ideas
every UI element needs to work and convert. If they are
@MichaelFilipiuk
When I interviewed designera for my team and they answer me with this kind of diagram approach when I ask "what's your design process", they are totally out
"App Store guidelines are fair" -- rejected for the 7th time
I have a huge list of App Store rejection cases, especially for screenshots and app preview videos, and I can say most of the time it's because you had bad luck with the reviewer
then, the same sets of screenshots or