When any business builds its mobile app, its primary goal is to make it accessible to a larger group of users. Because at the end of the time, it is created for the users, to solve their problems…
Also, this is true: no matter how amazing your app is, how great it works in solving a real problem, or how much your beta users love it…
If someone Googles for a solution your app provides, and your app doesn’t pop up on the search result, then all your efforts go in vain.
According to Statista, approximately 40% of the users worldwide find mobile applications through search results. This percentage alone explains the importance of getting on the top search result pages if you want to get more and more organic traffic to your app.
But how do you do that?
You do SEO, yes! When you launch your website online, you put SEO efforts to get it ranked; SEO for mobile apps works in a similar way. And this is different from the App Store Optimization (ASO) that everyone might already be telling you about. So, in this article, we’ll be talking about real SEO, the kind that helps your app rank in Google search results, so you can reach way more people than just App Store browsers.
But before we move forward, let’s take a look at some of the main differences between SEO and ASO.
SEO for Apps vs. ASO
ASO helps you get seen only inside the App Store or Google Play. There is no doubt that it is very important but it only helps when someone is already in the store.
On the other hand, SEO for apps helps your app show up on Google, Bing, and other search engines. So when someone types in any query like “best ride-hailing app like Uber” or “how to learn Arabic on my phone,” your app page or website shows up. And we’re talking about showing up outside of the app stores.
ASO is great for app discovery inside the app stores.
But SEO has the ability to get you way more eyeballs, even from people who didn’t even know they were looking for your app yet.
How SEO Actually Helps Your App Rank on Google
Google doesn’t crawl app stores the way it does websites. So, if you want your app to be seen on search engines, you first have to create a web presence for it. Your web page is something that Google can index and rank.
Once you get your website, then things like content, keywords, links, and user experience come into play. These are the ingredients that make up a perfect app SEO (aka app search engine optimization).
7 Key SEO Factors That Help Your App Show Up on Google
1. A Website or Landing Page
This is what you can call an online home for your app. Your landing page is the instance where Google actually finds and reads what your app is all about. Without a site, there is nothing for Google to crawl. This means your app has zero chance of showing up in search results.
Now, with websites, you don’t require a giant one. Even a clean, one-page site with solid content can fit your bill. But make sure it explains what the app does, who it’s made for, and how it helps solve a real problem. Add download links in a very seamless way, visuals, FAQs, and even a blog if you’re up for it. This page becomes your app’s main SEO asset – the hub for everything. Plus, if your app gets shared or talked about, people have a place to land that’s fully in your control.
2. Targeted Keywords
Keywords are like the words your future users are typing into Google right now. This is one the most important aspects of search engine marketing that a professional SEO agency in Dubai would never overlook. If your app’s content includes the same phrases they’re searching for or variations with different user intents, then you’re way more likely to show up in their results.
But don’t just stuff in basic terms like “fitness app” or “budget tracker.” You need to get more specific to target a specific audience. Use long-tail keywords that match real user intent, something like “fitness app for new moms” or “best free budgeting app for Dubai freelancers.” These longer phrases usually have less competition and higher conversion potential.
Once you know your keywords, use them smartly:
In your page title, headers, image names, meta description, and naturally throughout your content. This helps Google understand exactly what your app is all about and who it’s for. Handling keywords smartly is one of the most useful ways to attract the right traffic.
3. Content That Solves Problems
If you look closely into the data and do some real research, you’ll find that people don’t actually search for apps; they search for solutions. So, it’s a better idea to turn your content into how-to guides. Some examples could be “How to track my calories,” “how to save money each month,” and “how to teach my kid math on a phone”. These are all opportunities to show up in search results.
So, instead of only focusing on features and stuffing keywords, create content that answers questions. A blog post like “Top 5 Ways to Track Spending Without a Spreadsheet” that recommends your app as a solution feels natural, helpful, and search-friendly.
If your blog posts actually help people before they even install your app, they’re much more likely to download it and stick around.
4. Backlinks from Relevant Sites
Imagine someone you trust says, “Hey, check out this app – it’s really good.”
You’ll probably give it a try, right?
Google works the same way. If trusted websites link to your app’s website, it tells search engines that your app is worth showing to more people. These are called backlinks, which are like upvotes for your app’s reputation.
There are multiple mediums where you can get backlinks from. Guest blogging, reaching out to tech reviewers, and getting listed on startup directories are some of the effective ways. Also, you can get them by simply being mentioned on niche blogs. Focus on quality over quantity because one solid backlink from a trusted site is more powerful than a dozen random ones.
5. Mobile-Friendly Experience
This one should be obvious, but a lot of people still miss it. If your app website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’ll lose many opportunities from mobile phone users. The reason is simple: most people searching for apps are doing it on their phones. So, if your site loads weirdly or the text is tiny, they’ll bounce fast, and Google notices these patterns.
Make sure everything on your site is responsive.
- The text should be readable.
- The buttons should be easy to tap.
- Loading times should be fast.
Google even has a Mobile-Friendly Test tool to help check your site.
A good mobile experience adds up directly to your SEO rankings.
6. Fast Load Speed
Ever clicked a link, waited more than three seconds, and said “nah”?
In the same way, Google doesn’t like slow sites.
Page speed has now become an important factor for ranking. If your app page takes too long to load, it might never make it to page one, no matter if everything else is solid.
To improve load speed:
- Compress your images (without killing quality)
- Use lightweight themes and code
- Choose solid hosting
- Avoid auto-playing videos or bloated scripts
A fast site = better user experience + better SEO = more downloads.
7. Schema Markup for App
This one’s a little technical but super powerful. Schema Markup is like giving Google a cheat sheet about your app.
With app schema, you can tag parts of your site that say:
- “This is the name of the app”
- “Here’s the description”
- “These are the download links”
- “This is the platform it works on”
It helps Google better understand what your page is about and how it should appear in search results. Sometimes, it even leads to rich snippets, which are fancy search listings with extra info that attract more clicks.
If you’re working with a developer, just ask them to add structured data for mobile apps. It’s a small tweak that can give you a big SEO edge.
Step-by-Step: How to Actually Rank Your App Through SEO
So, how do you put all of this together?
Let’s break it down step by step:
Step 1:
Build a Dedicated Web Page
Make it clean, keyword-focused, and easy to navigate. Talk about what your app does, add screenshots, include video demos, and use your primary keywords like app SEO or app optimization naturally in your content.
Step 2:
Research Keywords
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Ahrefs to find long-tail keywords like “best expense tracker app for freelancers” or “baby sleep tracker iOS.”
Step 3:
Create Blog Content
Add blogs to your site that answer actual user questions. This helps you rank for informational searches and builds trust.
Step 4:
Build Links
Get featured on niche blogs, forums, and startup directories. Share your content on Reddit, Quora, and relevant communities.
Step 5:
Optimize for On-Page SEO
Use heading tags (H1, H2, etc.), internal links, clean URLs, image alt text, and a fast, mobile-friendly layout.
Step 6:
Track and Measure
Use Google Search Console to monitor impressions and rankings. Use Google Analytics to track website traffic and where users are coming from.
5 SEO KPIs to Measure Your App’s Visibility
Here’s how to know if your app’s SEO is working:
1. Organic Traffic to Your App Page
How many users are coming to your site from search engines? That’s your first sign of progress.
2. Keyword Rankings
Track how your target keywords are performing. Are you moving closer to page 1?
3. Click-Through Rate (CTR)
If people see your page on Google but don’t click, you might need better meta titles and descriptions.
4. Bounce Rate
Are people landing on your app page and leaving immediately? Improve your content, CTAs, and visuals.
5. Conversion Rate
Are visitors actually downloading your app after landing on your page? That’s the real win.
The Takeaway
SEO for mobile applications is becoming very crucial nowadays because of the massive competition in the app industry. If you want to attract more and more users to your app, then you need organic traffic through the right SEO strategies for your app. And while app store SEO (or ASO) is helpful, SEO for apps gives you a bigger stage, i.e., Google. So, if you’re serious about making your app successful, you can start optimizing it for search engines or contact a professional SEO company in Dubai like Techigator. SEO takes some effort, but the payoff is huge. It could be your first smart step in building a brand that people actually find and fall in love with.
FAQs
1- What is SEO for mobile apps?
SEO for mobile application is a method that helps your app get more visibility. It includes all the typically strategic moves that help any website rank higher on search engines. It works in a similar way for mobile applications. The only requirement is to have your app’s landing page.
2- What are the 3 main differences between ASO and SEO?
- ASO is for app stores.
- SEO is for search engines.
- ASO focuses on keywords, visuals, and ratings, while SEO focuses on content, links, and website performance.
