Contents
Introduction
In the vast digital landscape, mastering the art of keyword research is crucial for ensuring the visibility and success of your app. This holds especially true for Japan, a market with unique linguistic intricacies. This article guides you through the essential steps of keyword research, highlighting the importance and challenges specific to the Japanese language.
Importance of Keyword Research and Analysis
Before delving into the intricacies of Japanese keyword research, let’s understand why it’s a game-changer. Effective keyword research not only enhances your app’s discoverability but also influences its ranking and overall success. It provides valuable insights into user behavior, helping you tailor your content to meet their specific needs and preferences.
Related post: How to Dominate the App Store with Strategic Keyword Selection for ASO
The Difficulty of Keyword Research in Japanese
Japanese is a Complicated Language
Navigating the Japanese language for keyword research can be likened to a linguistic maze. The intricate characters and unique linguistic structure make it challenging for non-native speakers to grasp the nuances. Understanding these complexities is the first step towards crafting an effective keyword strategy.
Machine Translation Will Fail You
Relying solely on machine translation tools might lead to misinterpretations and inaccurate keyword choices. We’ve come across numerous apps in Japan stores that lack proper localization, and had shared some laughs while going through such apps due to weird and obvious machine translation. The nuances and cultural context embedded in Japanese keywords are often lost in translation. It’s essential to delve deeper and employ a more nuanced approach when trying to target Japanese market.
How To Do Keyword Research in Japanese
Step 1: Grasp the Basics
Understanding the basics of the Japanese language structure and search behavior is paramount. Familiarize yourself with common phrases, local expressions, and cultural subtleties. This groundwork sets the stage for a more accurate and targeted keyword research process.
Step 2: Discover
From Your Own Meta-data
Begin by focusing on keywords that are related to your app. If you already have a starting keyword in English or have finished researching keywords, take a closer look at the list and broaden your selection of keywords in Japanese based on that foundation.
From Competitors
Analyze the keywords used by successful competitors in the Japanese market. This can provide valuable insights into trending terms and help you identify gaps in your own strategy.
With the Help of AI ✨
Leverage AI tools to streamline your keyword discovery process. These tools can analyze vast amounts of data, identify trends, and suggest relevant keywords based on user search behavior.
Step 3: Analyze and Prioritize (with the Help of an ASO Tool)
After you’ve gathered your keywords, the next step is to analyze them. Do app store users search these keywords? What’s the chance that these keywords will be expose to the top? Are these keywords competitive enough? Are my competitors using these keywords as well? Will it be difficult for my app to show up using this keyword? Am I ranking on this keywords already? These are some questions you’d want to ponder on when choosing which keywords to implement on your metadata. Then, prioritize your keywords accordingly.
What to examine when doing Keyword Analysis:
- Search Volume: Evaluate the search volume of keywords to understand their popularity. A higher search volume indicates a higher potential for visibility, but it also means greater competition.
- Chance: Assess the competitiveness of keywords. A higher chance score implies a better chance of reaching the top of search results.
- Difficulty: Analyze the difficulty level of keywords. A higher difficulty indicates more competition, requiring a strategic approach to stand out.
- No. of Apps Using the Keyword: Consider how many apps are currently using the keyword. This insight helps gauge the market saturation and competition.
- Ranking: Check your app’s current ranking for specific keywords. This ongoing analysis ensures you stay ahead of the competition and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Step 4: Implement and Track
Implement your refined keyword strategy and continuously track its performance. There might be keywords that are just seasonal or only went viral due to an event. Make sure to regularly update your keyword list based on changing trends and user behavior.
Related post: How to make ASO successful in Japanese
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Neglecting Cultural Nuances
Cultural sensitivity is paramount. Failing to consider cultural nuances in keyword selection can lead to misunderstanding and misrepresentation. Seek advice from local professionals to ensure your keywords resonate with the target audience.
Not Staying Updated with Trends
The digital landscape is ever-evolving. Stay informed about the latest industry and search behavior trends. Regularly check resources like aixpost.com, a Japan marketing insight media that provides valuable updates on ASO trends in Japan.
Conclusion
Mastering keyword research for your app in Japan is a multifaceted journey. From understanding the complexity of the Japanese language to leveraging AI tools and staying updated with trends, each step plays a crucial role in your app’s success. Embrace cultural nuances, stay adaptable, and make informed decisions based on thorough analysis.
FAQs
- Q: How frequently should I update my keyword strategy? A: Regular updates are essential to stay relevant. Aim for at least quarterly reviews to adapt to changing trends.
- Q: How do I stay informed about the latest ASO trends in Japan? A: Subscribe to newsletters from reputable sources like “aixpost” for regular updates on Japanese ASO trends.
- Q: Is it advisable to use the same keywords across different language versions of my app? A: While translating keywords is a good start, consider cultural nuances and adapt keywords for each specific market.
- Q: Is it necessary to hire a local expert for keyword research in Japan? A: While not mandatory, a local expert can provide invaluable insights into cultural nuances and current market trends. Contact us if you need help from ASO experts in Japan.
- Q: Are there any tools specifically designed for keyword research in the Japanese app market? A: Yes, explore tools like “ASO index” that offer insights tailored for the Japanese audience.
