Contents
Introduction
Everyday, my team is taking note of the keywords showing up on the Discover section of Search tab in App Store to gain trend insights. In this article, I’d like to take the insights further by picking up a keyword and observe the ranking apps in this trending keyword. See patterns in creatives and keywords.
For this observation, I will be using a Japanese language-responsive ASO tool called ASO index. We’ll be utilizing its free feature called “App Explorer” to observe apps, creatives and keywords using a keyword search.
Trending Keyword: 貯金
This time, I’ve chosen a keyword that showed up in the App Store’s Discover section last Monday, 15th of April 2024.
貯金, read as “chokin,” means putting money aside or basically, saving money. The keyword might be trending since April is the start of the fiscal year in Japan and it’s probably the time Japanese people are thinking about their budgeting for the year.
Top Ranking “貯金” Apps
- 目標別「貯金箱」日記
- シンプル家計簿 – 人気かけいぼ
- 貯金メモ 毎日使えるシンプルなアプリ
- 家計簿!簡単お小遣い帳 人気の家計簿(かけいぼ)
- シンプル「貯金箱」
- 超シンプル「貯金箱」 – シンプルで簡単に使える –
- 貯金アプリfinbee-楽しくお金が貯まる貯金管理アプリ
- 貯金進捗管理アプリ
- 家計簿マネーフォワード ME – 人気の家計簿(かけいぼ)
- トリマ-移動するだけでポイントが貯まるお小遣い稼ぎアプリ
Popular Keywords Used in the Titles
The titles of the top-ranking savings apps in Japan’s App Store frequently incorporate several popular keywords. Among these, “シンプル (simple)” appears in 4 out of 10 titles, highlighting the straightforward and easy-to-use apps. “貯金箱 (savings box / piggy bank)” is present in 3 out of 10 titles, suggesting an association with traditional saving methods and imagery. Similarly, “家計簿 (household account book)” is found in 3 out of 10 titles, highlighting the budgeting and financial management features. Additionally, “人気 (popular)” is included in 3 out of 10 titles, although App Store said using such keywords are not advisable, many apps in Japan still tend to use such keywords.
Icons: Common Patterns
- Piggy Bank
- ¥
- Coin
Observing the icons, the Japanese Yen symbol (¥) is prevalent, appearing in 5 out of 10 instances. Additionally, an image of a piggy bank and also coin are featured both 4 out of 10 in the icons of the top ranking apps for “貯金 (savings)”.
Screenshots: Common Patterns
For the screenshots, I was able to easily observe the screenshots for the trending keyword “貯金” (savings) using ASO index‘s App Explorer feature seen below. I just needed to search “貯金” and it will show me the real-time ranking apps’ creative assets in one screen. It would be just like searching in the App Store itself.
- Most apps shows app screens highlighting its different features
- 4 out of 10 apps included the phrase “No. 1” within the first 3 screenshots
- 3 out of 10 apps emphasized the number of downloads or users they have
- Not many apps are using characters in their screenshots
Color and Fonts
For the screenshots, Gothic (ゴシック体) – Sans-serif is mostly used. It’s the font style that’s neutral and universally applicable. Text are usually just in plain style without any outlines, except for one app. Learn more about what Japanese fonts to use in your creatives here.
And as for the color palettes, it seems like the shades of orange and yellow are the most commonly used for such apps. You can see that 6 out of 10 apps are using these colors for icons and 4 out of 10 for screenshots.
Wrap-up
In this exploration of the trending keyword “貯金” (savings) within the Japan App Store, we’ve delved into the top-ranking apps, identified prevalent keywords in their titles, examined common patterns in their creative assets and screenshots, and noted trends in color and fonts. Through the use of ASO index‘s App Explorer feature, we were able to gain valuable insights into the strategies employed by these apps to attract users and stand out in a competitive market. From the emphasis on simplicity and traditional saving concepts to the prevalence of certain colors and fonts, each aspect of these apps’ presentation reflects a deliberate effort to engage with and appeal to users. These findings provide valuable insights for developers and marketers looking to optimize their app listings and enhance their visibility and appeal within the Japan App Store ecosystem.
ASO tool used: ASO index
