Digital Marketing, SEO, AEO & Growth · Specialist certification · Free

App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification

Earn the credential Certified ASO Specialist SOA-ASO. It certifies that you can grow app installs organically — keyword research and metadata, store creative, ratings and reviews, and store experiments, localisation and in-app events on the App Store and Google Play.

What is the App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification?

The App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification is a free, test-based credential from Science of Apps. It certifies that you can grow app installs organically — keyword research and metadata, store creative, ratings and reviews, and store experiments, localisation and in-app events on the App Store and Google Play. Pass the 20-question, 30-minute test with 75% or more to become a Certified ASO Specialist (SOA-ASO). Every question is based on published standards and research — including App Store search (Apple App Store), Creating your product page (Apple App Store), Ratings, reviews and responses (Apple App Store) — and each answer is explained with its source.

Built for your job title

App marketers, ASO specialists, growth managers, product managers and indie developers who want more installs without more ad spend.

  • ASO Specialist
  • App Marketing Manager
  • Mobile Growth Manager
  • User Acquisition Manager
  • Product Marketing Manager
  • Indie App Developer

Land the job, not just the certificate

Career guide · 8 min read

How to get an app store optimization job in 2027: keywords, store listings, creative testing, ratings and the metrics mobile growth teams hire for

How to get an ASO specialist job in 2027: App Store and Google Play keywords, listings, creative tests, ratings, metrics, pay and a 5-week plan.

Read the hiring playbook →

What the test covers

Four domains with 5 questions each, drawn from a bank of 10 per domain, so a retake brings questions you haven't seen. Every domain links to the free Laws of UX guides its questions draw on.

  1. 01

    Keyword research & metadata

    25%
    • Use the App Store keyword field and name limits
    • Write Google Play descriptions for search
    • Target relevant long-tail keywords

    Study: Serial Position Effect

  2. 02

    Creative assets

    25%
    • Design screenshots that sell the core value
    • Make previews work without sound
    • Design icons that read at small sizes

    Study: Von Restorff Effect, Aesthetic-Usability Effect, F-Shaped Pattern

  3. 03

    Ratings, reviews & conversion

    25%
    • Ask for ratings at the right moment
    • Respond to reviews
    • Diagnose impression-to-install conversion

    Study: Social Proof, Peak-End Rule

  4. 04

    Experiments, localisation & events

    25%
    • Run product page optimization and Play experiments
    • Localise for real local searches
    • Use in-app events and custom product pages

    Study: Framing Effect

Science of Apps is not affiliated with Apple or Google. App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc.; Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.

Based on published standards

The questions are original scenarios, and each one names the public standard, official guide or research it draws on — shown under the question while you answer, and linked in your review. These are the sources behind this certification:

Try a sample question

Your app's subtitle is "The best app ever made". What's a better use of those 30 characters?

  1. A list of emojis
  2. The same words as the app name
  3. A clear benefit with a key search term, such as "Budget planner & bill tracker"
  4. Your company's legal name
Show the answer

C. A clear benefit with a key search term, such as "Budget planner & bill tracker" — The subtitle is indexed for search and shown in results. A specific benefit with a relevant keyword helps both ranking and conversion. The real test has 20 questions like this.

How the test works

  1. 30 minutes, 20 scenarios

    One question per screen, with a progress bar and a countdown. Your progress is saved on this device if you need to pause.

  2. Graded on our server

    Answers reach the page only after you submit, so the certificate can only be earned by passing.

  3. Every answer explained

    Pass or not, you see every question with the right answer, why, and the source behind it. Pass mark 75%, distinction 90%.

  4. Your certificate

    Founder-signed, with a QR code and credential ID. Download PDF or PNG, add to LinkedIn, and it's emailed to you.

What you earn

Certified ASO Specialist certificate preview: an ivory certificate with a gold medal marked SOA-ASO
LinkedIn-ready certificate

Pass, then add it to LinkedIn in one click

No typing. The Add to LinkedIn button opens your profile’s Licenses & certifications form already filled in: the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and a link recruiters can use to verify it.

  1. 1Take the 30-minute test
  2. 2Score 75% or more
  3. 3Click Add to LinkedIn
Free · no sign-up · also emailed to you as a PDF
How it shows on your LinkedIn profile

See every Marketing, SEO & AEO certification and test →

Frequently asked questions

What is the App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification?

The App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification is a free, test-based credential from Science of Apps. It certifies that you can grow app installs organically — keyword research and metadata, store creative, ratings and reviews, and store experiments, localisation and in-app events on the App Store and Google Play. Pass the 20-question, 30-minute test with 75% or more to become a Certified ASO Specialist (SOA-ASO). Every question is based on published standards and research — including App Store search (Apple App Store), Creating your product page (Apple App Store), Ratings, reviews and responses (Apple App Store) — and each answer is explained with its source.

How do I get a App Store Optimization certification for free?

Read the four skill domains on this page, study the free guides and sources linked to each, then take the 30-minute test online. There is no fee, course or sign-up. Score 75% or more and you get a Certified ASO Specialist certificate straight away — on screen, as a PDF and by email — with a credential ID anyone can verify.

Are the App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification questions based on real standards?

Yes. The questions are original scenarios written by Science of Apps, and each one is based on a public source you can read: App Store search (Apple App Store); Creating your product page (Apple App Store); Ratings, reviews and responses (Apple App Store); Store listing best practices (Android Developers); Store listing experiments (Google Play Console Help); Localize app information (App Store Connect Help). The source is shown under each question and linked in the answer review. Science of Apps doesn't copy questions from other tests.

What is app store optimization (ASO)?

App store optimization is the work of improving an app's visibility and conversion in the App Store and Google Play — choosing keywords and metadata, designing icons, screenshots and previews, managing ratings and reviews, and testing and localising store listings — to grow organic installs.

Can I take the App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification from any country?

Yes. The certification is online, in English and free everywhere — people take it from India, the US, the UK, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Your certificate is dated with your own local date and can be verified from anywhere at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/.

Will the App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification help me get a job?

It helps you stand out: it shows employers, in a form they can check, that you can apply keyword research & metadata and creative assets to real product scenarios. Add it to LinkedIn and your CV, and back it with portfolio work that shows the same skills — certifications open conversations, portfolios close them.

How hard is the App Store Optimization (ASO) Certification?

We rate it Intermediate: assumes hands-on experience in the role. It has 20 scenario questions — 5 from each of 4 domains — and a 30-minute limit. You need 75% (15 of 20) to pass and 90% for distinction.

How do I prepare for a ASO Specialist job?

To get an ASO job in 2027, show you can grow installs from the App Store and Google Play: keyword research within each store's metadata rules, listings and screenshots that convert, store experiments, ratings and review management, and clear reporting on impressions, conversion and installs. Search drives most App Store downloads. Optimise one real app and verify the skill with a free test. Our full career guide covers the hiring process, interview loop, pay and a prep plan: scienceofapps.com/blog/app-store-optimization-career-guide/

How much do Science of Apps certifications cost?

Nothing. There is no fee to take a test, to receive the certificate, to have it emailed or to verify it, and no sign-up.

How are the tests graded?

On our server, not in your browser. The answers never reach the page until you submit, so a certificate can only be earned by passing. Each certificate gets a unique credential ID stored by Science of Apps.

What happens if I don't pass?

You see your score for each area and every question with the correct answer and why, with the published source behind it. You can retake after 30 minutes, and the retake draws questions you haven't seen yet.

Do the certificates expire?

No. Every certificate is dated, so it always shows when you passed. Retake a test any time for a newer date or a higher score.

Can I add the certificate to LinkedIn?

Yes. After you pass, Add to LinkedIn opens the Licenses & certifications form with the certificate name, Science of Apps as the issuer, the issue date, your credential ID and the verification link filled in. You can also download it as a PDF or PNG, and it's emailed to you as a PDF.

How can an employer verify my certificate?

Every certificate has a credential ID and a QR code. Scanning it, or entering the ID at scienceofapps.com/certification/verify/, shows the holder's name, the certification, the score and the issue date from our records.

Are these accredited qualifications?

No. They are Science of Apps' own assessments of applied skill. They aren't issued by a university or standards body, and they work best alongside a portfolio that shows the skills in real work.

All free · no sign-up

621 more certifications to collect

Keep exploring

Read before you test

Pass it on

Challenge a friend or your team

Send them this test. It's free, takes minutes, and you can compare scores — every certificate can be verified.

Join free

Get the ideas, not the noise.

Sign up with Google and we’ll send you short UX psychology tips by email — why people tap, stall and leave, and what to do about it. Unsubscribe anytime. Prefer something to keep? Get the free Laws of UX guide as a PDF.

Get the free Laws of UX PDFFree · no spam · unsubscribe anytime
Free PDF · 74 pages · 2 editions

The Laws of UX, in one field guide

60 research-backed principles in 6 categories — what each one means, why it works on the human brain and how to use it on your own screens. Written by Sushant Singh, founder of Science of Apps, who has scaled consumer apps to lacs of users and spent 10+ years leading product across startups and digital businesses in the US, EU & India.

Pick your edition
Free. No card, no paywall — just your email.
Free PDF · 74 pages

Get Laws of UX by email

Choose your edition

You’ll also get occasional UX psychology tips. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy

Free PDF · 90 pages · 2 editions

100+ Subscription Paywalls, decoded

110 real paywalls from top apps, taken apart, rated out of 5 and decoded with the Laws of UX — plus the frameworks, copy and checklists to ship your own. By Sushant Singh, founder of Science of Apps.

  • 110 paywalls rated
  • 34 Laws of UX
  • 12 frameworks

Which paywall scored 4.8 out of 5, and which scored 2.6? It’s all inside.

Pick your edition
Free. No card, no paywall — just your email.
Free PDF · 90 pages

Get 100+ Paywalls, Decoded by email

Choose your edition

You’ll also get occasional UX psychology tips. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy