App Store Optimization (ASO) in 2026 — Cost & Strategy for Indian Apps

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is App Store Optimization (ASO), and how is it different from SEO?

ASO is the practice of improving how an app ranks and converts inside the App Store and Google Play search results — optimizing the title, keywords, description, icon, screenshots, and preview video so the app both appears for relevant searches and convinces people who find it to actually install. SEO does the same job for web pages inside Google Search. The disciplines share a research methodology (keyword and competitor research, iterative testing) but the ranking factors are different — ASO weighs visual creative, ratings, and post-install engagement far more heavily than traditional web SEO does.

How much does ASO cost for a business in India in 2026?

A realistic program starts at ₹35,000–₹90,000 per month for an early-stage app (Foundation tier), scaling to ₹90,000–₹2,20,000/month once you're running structured creative testing and localization (Growth tier), and ₹2,20,000–₹5,00,000+/month for a program fully integrated with paid Apple Search Ads and Google UAC management (enterprise tier). Most businesses also pay a one-time audit and setup fee of ₹40,000–₹1,50,000 before the monthly retainer begins.

How long does it take to see results from ASO?

Metadata and creative changes typically show measurable ranking movement within 2–4 weeks, since both app stores re-index listings on a rolling basis. Meaningful, statistically confident conversion-rate improvements from A/B testing screenshots or preview video usually take 60–90 days, because you need enough store-page visits to reach significance. We set client expectations around a 90-day first review, not a 30-day one.