ASO Traffic: Expert Opinion on Clear Pros and Less Obvious Cons
Ilya Bogdanov from the 
Alfaleads Research and Development Department shares his insights and valuable tips for all affiliates venturing into ASO traffic. 
ASO stands for App Store Optimization, a practice focused on optimizing mobile apps' visibility within app stores. The primary platforms for ASO are 
App Store and 
Google Play. The main objective of those working with ASO is to propel a casino or betting app to the top of search results in one of these stores. When users search something like play casino for real money, they see a WebView application uploaded by the affiliate, who earns a commission for each player making a deposit via the app.
In this regard, ASO is very similar to SEO, only you work with apps instead of websites. ASO's success lies in continuously adjusting various elements, such as descriptions, images, and titles, to align with store algorithms and user queries. 
Why is ASO growing in popularity? 
ASO is experiencing a surge in popularity, and Alfaleads has observed this trend for the past two years. Advertisers who were previously unfamiliar with ASO traffic are now seeing satisfying results after testing and are actively seeking additional volumes. In my view, ASO effectively amalgamates the best attributes of SEO and app promotion. It offers quality traffic akin to what SEO delivers, mainly because it targets highly relevant users. Additionally, it borrows certain elements from app promotion, ensuring remarkable retention rates, since users see the app on their smartphone screens daily and receive push notifications.
Here's a valuable tip: don't overlook the significance of activating push notifications. According to statistics, they can boost your profit by 1015%.
What are the advantages of ASO?
One of the key advantages of ASO traffic is its quality and popularity. ASO attracts users who actively seek mobile applications, making them highly motivated. This aspect is particularly appealing to advertisers, leading them to offer payout rates that are, on average, 530% higher compared to other traffic types. It's a fantastic feeling when you get, for instance, two $200 deposits without spending a single dollar on additional user motivation. 
Is it possible to switch to ASO without prior experience? 
Certainly, it's possible, although one would need at least some background in affiliate marketing. If you have previous experience in SEO, that's ideal, and if you've worked in other verticals, that's also advantageous. At Alfaleads, we welcome individuals from various backgrounds. 
Our managers will guide you on creating an application or where to acquire one, and help you choose the most suitable promotion model. We offer a range of 
ASO-specific offers, including optimized landing pages and other elements. Here are some examples:
Copagol  8234
GEO  Brazil 
Payout rate  30 EUR
5Gringos  8175
GEO  Australia, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland 
Payout rate  up to 220 EUR 
Sportaza  8177 
GEO  Australia, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland
Payout rate  up to 220 EUR 
AmunRa  8179
GEO  Australia, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland
Payout rate  up to 220 EUR
YoJu  8232 
GEO  Brazil 
Payout rate  40 EUR
To access these offers, simply reach out to our 
support team, and they will assist you in getting started.
What is the ASO entry point?
The entry threshold for ASO can vary significantly depending on the GEO. In many European countries with favorable rates and payouts, advertisers are willing to invest generously in quality traffic. 
You can expect to spend around 
$300 to $500 for a Google Play application. Then, promoting the app with incentivized installs, reviews, and ratings may require an additional budget of $200 to $300. With a total investment of approximately $1,000, you can start receiving quality traffic. 
On the other hand, iOS has a considerably higher entry cost. 
Developing an iOS app alone can cost around $1,000, but this investment is often justified. The user base on iOS tends to be more financially solvent, resulting in higher rates and a more engaged audience. 
If you have an option to develop your own app, you can explore working with the App Store. However, if app development is not within your means, starting with Google Play is a viable option. 
About the disadvantages of ASO
Let's discuss some drawbacks of ASO. As mentioned earlier, 
one of the downsides of ASO is its cost. Acquiring and customizing applications can be quite expensive unless you possess the skills to develop them yourself. 
Another disadvantage is the need to rely on software developed by third-party and often 
untested developers. There's no guarantee of their work quality and honesty. Some developers sell apps to many customers, and if any of those apps get banned for any reason, Google might identify the similarity in the code and 
ban all applications from that developer. 
The third issue that ASO affiliates may encounter is 
sweeping bans. It's a kind of natural disaster that can't be helped. In the event of a mass ban, you could potentially lose a significant portion of your app portfolio. However, diversification can be a saving grace in such situations. 
A tip to mitigate these risks: order applications from different developers, which can help safeguard against mass bans. You can find skilled and cost-effective programmers on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
What tools will be useful for those who work with ASO?
There are quite a lot of them, I will give an example of three that I am familiar with myself: 
Data.Ai (formerly App Annie)  this platform allows you to classify and analyze applications, conduct comparative analyses, and study your competitors. It's a valuable tool for understanding the overall market landscape and tracking essential metrics. 
Cost: 
Free (limited features)
Premium subscription  its cost should be specified individually, contact the support team to find out
Sensor Tower  another helpful service that aids in optimizing your app for both App Store and Google Play. It provides the capability to monitor promotional campaigns. You can begin with a free version that allows you to check your app's profile, its store rankings, and reviews.
Cost: 
Free, trial period (limited features)
From $79 per month
 
Asodesk  an all-in-one platform for working with mobile products, providing everything you need for high-quality app optimization on the App Store and Google Play. It's worth noting that the website is available in several languages. 
Cost: 
Free (limited features)
From $79 per month (there are many tariff plans)
In addition to these, other services like 
ASOMobile, 
APP RADAR, 
Apptweak, 
Checkaso, and more, can provide valuable insights into app keyword usage for generating organic traffic and the search volume for specific queries. You can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Conclusion 
If you have prior experience in affiliate marketing, I strongly encourage you to explore ASO as a valuable traffic source. For beginners, I recommend starting with Google Play for a more accessible entry point. 
If you have any questions about working with ASO or wish to embark on your journey with Alfaleads, feel free to register on 
our official website and contact our 
Customer Care Team. Our dedicated managers will be happy to assist you. 
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