How to Rank #1 in the App Store

App Store Optimization in 2026: The Do's & Don'ts That Will Make or Break Your Rankings. Most app founders get ASO completely wrong — and it's costing them thousands of potential users every day. In this video, I break down exactly how the App Store algorithm works, and share the strategies I used to get Vivino and Vota ranking #1 for the keywords that matter. You'll learn: ✅ Why targeting the most popular keywords is a losing strategy (and what to do instead) ✅ How to structure your metadata so the algorithm knows exactly what your app does ✅ The hidden way Apple reads your screenshots — and how to use it to your advantage ✅ Why ratings are your #1 ranking factor and exactly when to ask for them ❌ The metadata mistakes that waste your prime real estate ❌ What gets apps rejected, banned, or delisted — and how to avoid it Whether you're launching your first app or trying to grow an existing one, these are the exact principles I apply to my own apps today. Host: Heini Zachariassen https://www.linkedin.com/in/heini/ Guest: Noam Hayoun, App Growth Strategist, Applift https://www.linkedin.com/in/noam-hayoun/ Applift https://applift.co/ Vota, revolutionary community-based restaurant ratings: https://vota.org/ Vota in Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/vota-restaurant-ratings/id6744969212 Vota on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vota.app More from Raw Startup Founders Weekly Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3TvUeal Spotify: https://bit.ly/3x6uZUq Startup Free Newsletter: https://www.rawstartup.co/#/portal/ Raw Startup Blog: https://rawstartup.co/ Raw Startup T-shirt: https://rawstartup.threadless.com/designs/raw-startup-t-shirt/mens/t-shirt/premium?color=heavy_metal #aso #appstore #appstoreoptimization #app #startups #appbuilding Chapters 00:00 Introduction to App Store Optimization 00:24 How the App Store Algorithm Works as a Matchmaker 00:51 Targeting the Right Keywords for Your App 01:20 Focusing on Midfield Keywords for Better Rankings 01:50 Optimizing Metadata for Search Visibility 02:34 Strategic Placement of Keywords in Metadata 03:21 Using Keywords in Screenshots for Indexing 03:50 The Critical Role of Ratings and How to Improve Them 04:20 Timing Your Rating Requests Effectively 05:13 Common Mistakes: Keyword Duplication and Brand Names 05:42 Risks of Buying Ratings and Incentivized Reviews 06:38 Conclusion: Strategy and Discipline in ASO