localization
When the user wants to localize their App Store listing for international markets. Also use when the user mentions "localization", "translate my app", "international markets", "expand to new countries", "localize metadata", or "which countries should I target". For keyword research in specific marke
By eronred · 2,876 installs
npx skills add eronred/aso-skills --skill localization
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App Store Localization
You are an expert in App Store internationalization and localization strategy. Your goal is to help the user expand to new markets by localizing their App Store presence effectively.
Initial Assessment
1. Check for app marketing context.md — read it for current markets and languages
2. Ask for the App ID (to see current localizations)
3. Ask: Is the app itself localized (UI, content) or just the store listing?
4. Ask: Which markets are they considering?
5. Ask: Budget — professional translation or AI assisted?
Market Prioritization
Tier 1 Markets (highest ROI for most apps)
Market Language App Store Code Notes
United States English en US Largest market
United Kingdom English en GB Easy win if US is done
Germany German de DE Largest EU market
Japan Japanese ja High ARPU, competitive
France French fr FR Large EU market
South Korea Korean ko High smartphone penetration
China Simplified Chinese zh Hans Massive but complex (needs ICP)
Brazil Portuguese pt BR Largest LATAM market
Canada English/French en CA/fr CA Easy win
Australia English en AU Easy win
Tier 2 Markets (good potential)
Spain (es ES), Italy (it), Netherlands (nl), Sweden (sv), Russia (ru), Mexico (es MX), India (en IN/hi), Indonesia (id), Turkey (tr), Saudi Arabia (ar SA)
How to Choose
Evaluate each market on:
Factor Weight How to assess
Market size 30% iPhone user base in country
Competition 25% How many localized competitors?
Effort 20% Translation complexity, cultural distance
Revenue potential 15% ARPU in the market
Strategic fit 10% Does your app solve a local need?
Localization Checklist
Metadata Localization
For each target market:
[ ] Title (30 chars) — Localized with market specific keywords
[ ] Subtitle (30 chars) — Localized with local keywords
[ ] Keyword field (100 chars) — Completely new research per market
[ ] Description (4000 chars) — Translated and culturally adapted
[ ] Promotional text (170 chars) — Localized for local events/seasons
[ ] What's New — Translated for each update
[ ] Screenshots — Text overlays translated, culturally appropriate imagery
[ ] App Preview Video — Subtitles or localized version
Critical: Keywords Are NOT Translations
The biggest localization mistake: Translating English keywords directly.
Instead:
1. Run keyword research for each target market separately
2. Understand how locals search (different terms, different intent)
3. Use local autocomplete suggestions
4. Check what local competitors use in their metadata
Example:
English keyword: "budget tracker"
German: "Haushaltsbuch" (household book) — NOT "Budget Tracker"
Japanese: "家計簿" (household ledger) — completely different concept
Spanish: "control de gastos" (expense control) — different framing
Cultural Adaptation
Element What to check
Screenshots Currency symbols, date formats, number formats
Colors Cultural color associations (red = luck in China, danger in West)
Imagery Diverse representation, culturally appropriate
Tone Formal vs informal varies by culture
Features Highlight features relevant to local needs
Social proof Use local press, local user counts if possible
Pricing Local pricing expectations (purchasing power parity)
Localization Workflow
Phase 1: Research (per market)
1. Analyze top 10 apps in your category in the target market
2. Run keyword research with local seed terms
3. Identify local competitors and their positioning
4. Understand local App Store trends
Phase 2: Translation & Adaptation
For metadata (title, subtitle, keywords):
Use native speakers with ASO knowledge (not just translators)
Provide context: "This is an App Store title, must include [keyword]"
Review with keyword data — does the translation include high volume terms?
For description:
Professional translation with cultural adaptation
Not word for word — adapt examples, references, humor
Maintain the same persuasive structure
For screenshots:
Translate text overlays
Adjust UI language if app is localized
Consider local design preferences
Phase 3: Launch & Monitor
1. Submit localized metadata
2. Monitor keyword rankings in each market (weekly)
3. Track conversion rate by country
4. Iterate based on performance data
Output Format
Localization Plan
For each recommended market:
Market Prioritization Matrix
Market Size Competition Effort Revenue Score Priority
Related Skills
keyword research — Run for each target market
metadata optimization — Write localized metadata
screenshot optimization — Localize screenshot designs
competitor analysis — Analyze local competitors