You are probably familiar with ASOindex. It can check the optimization level of any page right on the spot, and that may be quite helpful. For even more convenience of the analysis, we launched the average ASOindex benchmark by category and did a little research. Let’s look at 20 popular categories on the two app stores in the US and find out how different the average ASOindex can be and what percentage of apps match it.
ASOindex in detail
ASOindex is a universal assessment of the app’s ASO. The indicator is based on many factors. It estimates the number of characters in text elements, the number of screenshots, and the presence of a video. It takes into account the volume of the semantic core, the frequency of keywords, and positions by them. Frequency of updates, average rating, number of reviews, and installs are important factors as well. These are the main, but not the only elements that form ASOindex.
Average ASOindex benchmark by category
It’s not the arithmetic mean of all ASOindex estimates of the category. The average ASOindex benchmark by category is the standard average. We take into account active apps. This metric helps you understand how competitive the app is in terms of optimization. You can clearly see if you are lagging behind or ahead of others. This is a way to quickly and objectively assess the situation.
ASOindex benchmark of 20 popular categories
We’ve selected the most popular categories based on the latest data from Statista on the App Store and Google Play. We decided to focus on overlapping categories for better clarity and analyzed free non-gaming apps in the US locale (no lower than 200th position). What percentage of apps match the average ASOindex? Here’s what we found out.
Business
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 46%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,2
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 44%
Education
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 56%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,3
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 52%
Lifestyle
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,9
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 44%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,1
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 40%
Utilities/Tools
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,7
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 34%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,5
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 47%
Entertainment
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 45%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,1
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 44%
Travel / Travel & Local
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,7
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 44%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,1
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 44%
Food & Drink
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,7
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 38%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 48%
Health & Fitness
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 62%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,4
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 37%
Productivity
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 51%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,3
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 49%
Books / Books & References
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,6
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 38%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,2
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 34%
Finance
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 50%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,1
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 38%
Music
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,7
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 56%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,5
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 53%
Shopping
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,9
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 53%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,3
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 47%
Social Networking / Social
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 48%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,2
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 47%
Sport
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,6
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 33%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 38%
Photo & Video / Photography
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 8,1
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 64%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,4
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 53%
Medical
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,7
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 43%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 7,9
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 53%
Weather
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,7
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 23%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 7,7
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 35%
Navigation
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 35%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 43%
News / News & Magazines
- Average ASOindex on App Store: 7,6
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 33%
- Average ASOindex on Google Play: 8,1
- Percentage of apps matching the average ASOindex: 43%
Insights
Let’s sum up the insights we got. In some categories, we see a very high competition. This is, of course, a consequence of the high ASO level. For example, Photo & Video on the App Store. 64% of apps there correspond to the average ASOindex. The same percentage is in the Health & Fitness category. These are the hardest categories to compete in. The easiest one is Weather. On the App Store, only 23% of apps reach the average ASOindex, and on Google Play – 35%. The Utilities category is also quite available on the App Store. Only 34% of apps correspond to the average ASOindex there.
P.S.
Analyze your apps, competitors, and category characteristics to move forward. ASOindex is the easiest way to check if you’re on the right track. Try it.
