5/20/13

#storyappchat Making Your iTunes Description Effective

May 19, 2013

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From User brooks_jones drawbeard brooks_jones DavidBFox

Tweet Time Just about ready to get started for tonite's #storyappchat: How to Make Your iTunes Description Effective Mon, 20 May 2013 00:59:13 +0000 Nice. Hopefully I'll be writing one of those in the next few months. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:00:24 +0000 Welcome @drawbeard to tonite's #storyappchat! Glad you could join us. Mon, 20 May 2013 01:01:49 +0000 @drawbeard Hope so! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:02:16 +0000 About to start #storyappchat - I'll be in & out tonite from #dustormagic's appfest - many thanks to hosts iPad_storytime @DavidBFox & @brooks_jones Mon, 20 May 2013 01:02:28 +0000 drawbeard @brooks_jones @DavidBFox Thanks! Glad to participate, as always. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:03:09 +0000 @iPad_storytime @DavidBFox Week after week, it's always a pleasure to co-host #storyappchat with you brooks_jones guys! :) Mon, 20 May 2013 01:03:30 +0000 @iPad_storytime Wanted to be at #dustormagic but not ready to demo our game yet. Next year for sure! Say DavidBFox hi to all! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:04:14 +0000 brooks_jones So who else is out there ready to talk iTunes shop for #storyappchat tonite? Don't be shy! :) Mon, 20 May 2013 01:05:24 +0000 DavidBFox @brooks_jones Likewise Brooks and Carisa! @iPad_storytime #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:05:33 +0000 ruBORED @brooks_jones @drawbeard #storyappchat Hi everybody. Glad to be here. Mon, 20 May 2013 01:06:59 +0000 brooks_jones @ruBORED Welcome to #storyappchat tonite! Nice to have you, as always :) Mon, 20 May 2013 01:07:41 +0000 So, let's take a crack at compiling a list of the essentials that should be in your app's iTunes description, shall brooks_jones we? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:09:02 +0000 brooks_jones 1) Obviously, a short summary of the app and what it does, who it's designed for #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:09:45 +0000 brooks_jones 2) And a list of any awards the app has received #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:11:36 +0000 brooks_jones 3) Also some good recommendations from trusted blogs and sites that review apps #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:13:28 +0000 brooks_jones What else should be in the description? Any ideas? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:14:57 +0000 Also: for those of you who've already set up your app description in iTunes: how did you choose the screen brooks_jones shots/graphics? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:15:45 +0000 DavidBFox One thing to realize about app descriptions... many (most?) people never read them... #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:15:49 +0000 brooks_jones @DavidBFox Interesting. I must not be the typical consumer then :) #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:16:26 +0000 @brooks_jones If the app is for kids 13 and under, you may want to add a privacy statement to the DavidBFox description #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:16:43 +0000 @DavidBFox Are there any numbers/data about that--any idea how many people actually do or don't read brooks_jones 'em? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:17:36 +0000 drawbeard @brooks_jones I think you covered the basics. It needs to be short and sweet. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:19:39 +0000 @brooks_jones I don't know about data. Guessing kids are less likely. Or if it's free, then just push DavidBFox "download" button. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:19:52 +0000 DavidBFox @brooks_jones If you're paying for it, then more likely to check out what you're getting first. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:20:15 +0000 @drawbeard Agreed! Another question then: once set up, how often should the description be brooks_jones changed/updated? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:20:25 +0000 How often should the app itself be updated (beyond compatibility issues)? I hate having to update apps over brooks_jones + over #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:21:25 +0000 brooks_jones As a consumer, that is #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:21:45 +0000 I've heard devs complain they say in description which devices app's for then got a bad review 'cause it didn't DavidBFox work on device #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:21:57 +0000 @brooks_jones I would update the description whenever you update the app, or if you get an award or drawbeard recognition. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:22:08 +0000 TheiMums @DavidBFox @brooks_jones agree on that one though I always read them too #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:22:46 +0000 brooks_jones @DavidBFox Does Apple frown on too-frequent updates? Or is it a free-for-all? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:22:56 +0000 We haven't updated our descriptions for months... would do so if we added new features to the app DavidBFox #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:23:08 +0000 brooks_jones @TheiMums Welcome to #storyappchat! Always a pleasure to have you with us :) Mon, 20 May 2013 01:23:22 +0000 DavidBFox @brooks_jones Never heard that Apple doesn't want you to update frequently. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:23:42 +0000 @drawbeard @brooks_jones to b fair, as a reviewer we would like to see snippets of our review I. The iTunes TheiMums description too #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:23:43 +0000 brooks_jones Another question I have: do the words in the description help with your SEO? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:24:09 +0000 TheiMums @brooks_jones thanks :) #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:24:25 +0000 Some devs "update" their app just to get more promo codes. Update might be verrry minor or nonexistent DavidBFox changes #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:24:34 +0000 drawbeard @TheiMums Good idea! I probably wouldn't have thought of that. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:24:51 +0000 @brooks_jones I don't know about the description, but I have noticed titles are getting really long! TheiMums #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:25:07 +0000 TheiMums RT @drawbeard: @TheiMums Good idea! I probably wouldn't have thought of that. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:25:19 +0000 DavidBFox We've also added bullet lists of features of the apps. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:25:22 +0000 brooks_jones @TheiMums Agreed, and I hate that! Hate it when the titles get chopped on iOS #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:25:43 +0000 RT @DavidBFox: One thing to realize about app descriptions... many (most?) people never read them... Julia_Brannon #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:25:54 +0000 I don't think text from the description is searched when you're looking for an app in iTunes. Keywords and the DavidBFox title both are. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:26:43 +0000 @Julia_Brannon Hi there and welcome to #storyappchat tonite! Glad you popped in--do you know if the brooks_jones iTunes description helps with SEO? Mon, 20 May 2013 01:27:25 +0000 We did add snippets of reviews in our descriptions but would make sense to update those from time to time. DavidBFox #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:27:26 +0000

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#storyappchat Making Your iTunes Description Effective

May 19, 2013

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TheiMums

@DavidBFox is there a way to contact people that leave reviews in iTunes? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:27:42 +0000 I think titles can be 255 characters long, but only maybe 60-70 characters are shown on most pages. DavidBFox #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:28:08 +0000 @TheiMums Not that I know of. Unless that's changed. You can ask Apple to remove a review if it's DavidBFox inappropriate. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:28:41 +0000 DavidBFox @TheiMums I understand that on Google Play, a dev *can* respond to reviewers. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:29:09 +0000 TheiMums Here's a question - what do you think of sponsored apps? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:30:27 +0000 @TheiMums Sponsored apps are a good way to get an idea bankrolled, but the sponsorship should be brooks_jones unobtrusive #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:31:18 +0000 DavidBFox @TheiMums what do you mean by a "sponsored app"? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:31:28 +0000 TheiMums @DavidBFox i think that helps users pick out apps too by seeing a feature list #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:31:39 +0000 @DavidBFox Like when a yogurt company (or any company) pays to have their ad show up at the beginning of brooks_jones a story app, etc. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:32:18 +0000 DavidBFox @brooks_jones So, sponsored after it was created? If there's a strong tie-in, then possibly. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:33:18 +0000 roxiemunro Hi guys, sorry to be late. busy day at Open Studios. #Storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:33:36 +0000 @brooks_jones @DavidBFox I guess I don't think an ad should be put into an app you have already paid for TheiMums #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:33:44 +0000 RT @TheiMums have you seen Callaways update to Monster At The End of this book and the new commercial DavidBFox from Earths Best? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:34:19 +0000 @brooks_jones The search function in iTunes is inadequate. Googling app name and "iTunes" works best to Julia_Brannon find an app. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:34:23 +0000 brooks_jones @TheiMums Right, I think sponsored apps should be free #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:34:29 +0000 TheiMums @roxiemunro hi! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:34:34 +0000 @TheiMums No, I haven't seen Callaways update to Monster At The End of this book... objectionable? DavidBFox #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:35:05 +0000 brooks_jones @roxiemunro Welcome to #storyappchat tonite! Always nice to have you with us :) Mon, 20 May 2013 01:35:07 +0000 RT @storyappchat: in 2 hrs: #storyappchat: iTunes App Descriptions http://t.co/zT5jMYW66X TONIGHT TheiMums Sunday (5/19) at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT! Mon, 20 May 2013 01:35:22 +0000 DavidBFox @roxiemunro welcome Roxie! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:35:25 +0000 @DavidBFox commercial at the front of the app which is now free but was paid - in order to remove you just TheiMums pay $3.99 again #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:36:16 +0000 RT @Julia_Brannon: RT @DavidBFox: One thing to realize about app descriptions... many (most?) people iPad_storytime never read them... #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:36:35 +0000 brooks_jones @TheiMums Yuck, I don't think folks should have to pay $3.99 AGAIN }:( #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:37:35 +0000 Have you discussed the privacy issues that we should put in the iTunes app description? If so, I'll read it in the roxiemunro transcript. #Storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:37:59 +0000 TheiMums What Re the limits to iTunes descriptions? Are they hard to update? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:38:03 +0000 @TheiMums that doesn't seem fair. If you already paid for it, I'd be pretty angry as a consumer to have to pay DavidBFox again. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:38:22 +0000 @roxiemunro Just mentioned that you probably should include the privacy statement (or at least a link to DavidBFox your statement) #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:39:08 +0000 @roxiemunro We have not covered that yet. David did mention that if app is designed for young kids, privacy brooks_jones should B mentioned #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:39:29 +0000 @TheiMums In the past, you were able to update whenever you wanted. Must be < 4000 characters DavidBFox #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:39:52 +0000 TheiMums @brooks_jones @roxiemunro what kind of data and information is collected #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:40:11 +0000 @TheiMums but I think a new policy is that you can only update screen shots when you update the app itself. DavidBFox #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:40:16 +0000 @Julia_Brannon But since iTunes includes a web preview, do the words in the description help boost search brooks_jones rankings? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:40:32 +0000 roxiemunro App devs are working on a universal policy/language for kids. #Storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:40:46 +0000 @TheiMums For iBooks, though, Apple changed it so that once published, you have to ask Apple to update DavidBFox your description. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:41:10 +0000 Julia_Brannon @brooks_jones I'm not sure #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:41:35 +0000 @DavidBFox Wow, that stinks! So if you publish an iBook, better get that description right the first time! Yuck brooks_jones #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:42:24 +0000 @brooks_jones They seemed relatively responsive when I asked for a change in an iBook descrption: got it DavidBFox handled in 1-2 days. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:43:31 +0000 There were some great threads on the MomsWithApps (ParentsWithApps) boards on how to write app DavidBFox descriptions. We studied those #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:44:12 +0000 TheiMums @DavidBFox @brooks_jones that does seem responsive. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:44:15 +0000 @Julia_Brannon Seems like the words in the description would boost/help SEO, but if anyone knows for sure, brooks_jones pls let us know! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:44:31 +0000 DavidBFox ... and looked at examples of descriptions, and then just modeled ours after those. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:44:54 +0000 W/COPPA you have to have privacy stated clearly. Best=in the app, in app description, and on website. roxiemunro #Storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:45:13 +0000 But as w/anything else Apple, best practices are probably changing at a rapid pace... including how to get SEO DavidBFox words correct #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:45:21 +0000

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#storyappchat Making Your iTunes Description Effective

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Julia_Brannon brooks_jones DavidBFox DavidBFox TheiMums DavidBFox brooks_jones DavidBFox brooks_jones Julia_Brannon DavidBFox Julia_Brannon brooks_jones DavidBFox Julia_Brannon brooks_jones TheiMums Julia_Brannon DavidBFox roxiemunro brooks_jones brooks_jones DavidBFox brooks_jones DavidBFox roxiemunro brooks_jones

Here's one person's opinion on iTunes descriptions and SEO: http://t.co/1YT6MaR8aZ -- note this is from 2011 #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:45:23 +0000 RT @Julia_Brannon: Here's 1 person's opinion on iTunes descriptions and SEO: http://t.co/M0QxjiqvHA -- note this is from 2011 #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:45:48 +0000 @brooks_jones I think words in the description would definitely help with Google searches of the app's web page. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:45:53 +0000 @Julia_Brannon Oh! Ancient history!! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:46:10 +0000 Do you find tweeting or sharing the app to be helpful in boosting SEO? What makes an app notable from Apples perspective? #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:46:28 +0000 If a dog life is 1 year = 7 years, then an app life has to be 1 month = 7 years... things move fast #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:46:49 +0000 @DavidBFox So that's another reason to really try to make them relevant, and tie them into SEO efforts #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:47:01 +0000 @TheiMums I'd guess that the more 3rd party review sites that review it, the better, since that adds links to your page #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:48:12 +0000 @TheiMums Good question! Many of us been trying to figure that out for years :) #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:48:28 +0000 I do use the Google keyword tool and other analytics to find what kinds of words people use to look for my apps. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:48:33 +0000 @TheiMums No idea what Apple's actually looking for in their curation group. Mysterious black box surrounded by superstitions. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:49:10 +0000 @DavidBFox I know, right, I rarely post something to Twitter that is over a day or two old. It's so 5 minutes ago! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:49:43 +0000 @DavidBFox @TheiMums Very mysterious! And baffling #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:49:55 +0000 @Julia_Brannon Yes! Who wants old news in their tweets! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:50:34 +0000 @DavidBFox Vague and mystical intuition: Apple notices when many reviews come in..like @TheiMums & @iPad_Storytime #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:52:11 +0000 MT @Julia_Brannon: @DavidBFox Apple notices when many reviews come in..like @TheiMums & @iPad_Storytime #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:52:36 +0000 @brooks_jones @Julia_Brannon @DavidBFox @iPad_storytime good to know. We really try hard to put good reviews together #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:53:39 +0000 When apps get a lot of reviews, they often then get an Apple feature, but it's not scientifically proven and not guaranteed. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:54:30 +0000 Our app description for "Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are" https://t.co/ul2Y0ZrbHU #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:58:22 +0000 Just an aside, it's amazing how many App Store descriptions have typos and bad grammar. #Storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:59:56 +0000 Here's my app description too: https://t.co/PsykN3OEZ8 #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 01:59:56 +0000 @roxiemunro You're right, and I hate that! Makes me not want to download it. #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 02:00:33 +0000 @roxiemunro Yeah... think I found a typo in one of ours a year later. Embarrassing! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 02:00:59 +0000 Amazing: this #storyappchat hour is already over! Thanks to everyone for their great ?s and comments. Mon, 20 May 2013 02:01:23 +0000 @roxiemunro So, get a few friends with great attention to detail to proof read your descriptions! #storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 02:01:34 +0000 And a lot proclaim to be educational. #Storyappchat Mon, 20 May 2013 02:01:42 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:02:37 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:02:42 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:03:10 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:03:23 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:04:03 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:04:22 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:04:26 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:04:38 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:04:52 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:34:39 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2013 02:38:56 +0000

Perpetual thanks to @DavidBFox and @iPad_storytime who co-host #storyappchat with me week after week! @DavidBFox Looks great! Like starting with strong reviews, bullets & privacy policy; Like that you included Julia_Brannon social #storyappchat drawbeard Thanks for all the good pointers! #storyappchat brooks_jones Don't forget: #storyappchat transcript will be posted at http://t.co/rv3YlGdhLB tomorrow. brooks_jones Have a great evening, everybody! #storyappchat DavidBFox @Julia_Brannon Thanks Julia! That means a lot coming from you. #storyappchat DavidBFox And thanks cohost @brooks_jones and @iPad_storytime (miss you Carisa!) #storyappchat Thanks for the chat! @brooks_jones @DavidBFox @iPad_storytime @roxiemunro @theiMums Julia_Brannon #storyappchat RT @brooks_jones: #storyappchat transcript will be posted at http://t.co/PW9LjbwCPY tomorrow. Great! roxiemunro Need the first part! #Storyappchat RT @roxiemunro: RT @brooks_jones: #storyappchat transcript will be posted at http://t.co/PW9LjbwCPY iPad_storytime tomorrow. Great! Need the first part! #Storyappchat @DavidBFox Wouldn't it be nice to have an open content marketplace, where people can just sell where ronmartinez when what they want? #storyappchat