App Store Optimization (ASO) in international markets is underinvested by most developers. English-only listings are invisible to the majority of mobile users worldwide — Android and iOS both surface locally-translated listings preferentially. The translation investment is small compared to the download opportunity in Spanish (1.3B+ speakers), Chinese (1B+), and other major language markets.
Priority Fields to Translate
| Field | iOS (App Store) | Android (Google Play) | SEO Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Name/Title | 30 chars | 30 chars | Very high |
| Subtitle | 30 chars | N/A (short description) | High |
| Short Description | N/A | 80 chars | High |
| Keywords | 100 chars | N/A (metadata) | Very high (iOS) |
| Full Description | 4000 chars | 4000 chars | Medium |
| Screenshots | Up to 10 | Up to 8 | Conversion impact |
| What's New | Per update | Per update | Low |
Research Competitor App Store Listings in Any Language
Translate in Many Languages lets you read competitor app descriptions, reviews, and keywords on App Store and Google Play pages in any language. Free to install.
Add to Chrome — It's FreeKeyword Research for iOS (International Markets)
iOS App Store search is keyword-driven. The 100-character keyword field on App Store Connect is indexed for exact-match searches in each locale. Do not just translate your English keywords:
- Search your app category on the App Store in the target language using a device with that language set
- Note auto-complete suggestions — these are actual user searches in that language
- Check what keywords competitor apps are ranking for using ASO tools (AppFollow, AppTweak, Sensor Tower)
- Build a keyword list from local research, not from translating English keywords
- Pack the 100-character keyword field with the highest-volume terms separated by commas
Writing Translated Descriptions That Convert
The first 170 characters of the description are visible before "Read More" — these must be compelling in every language:
- Lead with the primary benefit, not the feature list
- Include the top keyword naturally in the opening paragraph
- Use bullet points for readability — these translate cleanly
- Keep sentences short and direct — complex sentence structures translate poorly and read awkwardly
- End with a clear benefit statement, not a feature list
Machine translate the full description, then have a native speaker review and edit the opening paragraph and bullet points. These are the highest-conversion elements and worth the review investment.
Which Markets to Localize First
Prioritize based on existing download opportunity:
- Check Google Play Console → Statistics → Country breakdown or App Store Connect → Sales and Trends → Region
- Identify which non-English-speaking countries have the most existing downloads with no translation
- These markets are already interested despite the language barrier — translation will improve conversion immediately
- Second priority: large markets where you have no downloads yet but competitors are active
Analyze Competitor Listings in Any Market
Use Translate in Many Languages to read competitor app descriptions in German, Spanish, Japanese, and any other language. Understand what messaging and keywords work in each market. Free.
Install Translate in Many LanguagesScreenshot Localization
Screenshots with text overlays in the local language consistently improve conversion versus English screenshots shown to non-English users. Practical approach:
- Use Figma, Canva, or your existing screenshot template
- Translate the overlay text into each target language
- Export each language set — you need 3-5 screenshots per market for optimal presentation
- Note German text running 30% longer — redesign overlays with shorter phrasing for German rather than compressing text
- Japanese, Korean, and Chinese screenshots may need different UI state screenshots if the app itself is not localized — show what actually appears in the app
Translate Any App Store Content in Your Browser
Translate in Many Languages works on App Store and Google Play web pages. Research international app markets, read competitor reviews, and verify translated content instantly. Always free.
Add to Chrome — It's FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How does translating an app store listing increase downloads?
App Store and Google Play index listings in each language for local search queries. An English-only listing is invisible to German or Japanese searches. Translated listings appear in local searches and convert better because users prefer listings in their native language — 10-30% conversion rate improvements are typical in international markets.
Should I translate the app name for international markets?
If the name describes functionality ("Budget Tracker"), translating can improve search discoverability. If it is a brand name, keep it as-is. IOS allows separate localized names per language. Research what terms local users search for in your category — the translated name should match common search patterns.
What are the most important elements to translate in an app store listing?
Priority: title and subtitle (highest search impact), iOS keyword field (requires local research, not just translation), description opening paragraph (pre-"read more" text), then full description. Screenshots with translated text overlays are the highest conversion impact element after the title.
Should I translate iOS or Android first?
Check your existing platform split in App Store Connect / Google Play Console. Android has higher market share in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. IOS users in Japan and South Korea convert well. Start with the platform and region showing the most existing international downloads with no translation.
Do I need to localize screenshots for each language?
Localized screenshots consistently outperform English screenshots for non-English markets. At minimum localize for your top 3 markets. Use the same screenshot design templates, swap the text overlay to the translated version. Account for German running 30% longer than English — use shorter phrases for German overlays.
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