A strong App Store presence requires more than a recognizable brand or a useful product. Every visible element of an app listing, from the title and subtitle to the screenshots and video assets, can influence how effectively an app communicates its value and reaches relevant users.

For this week’s App Store Spotlight, we are auditing Goodnotes and examining how its current App Store listing aligns with App Store Optimization (ASO) best practices. Goodnotes has built a well-known platform for digital note-taking, document management, planning, and more, but even established apps can uncover new opportunities to improve their App Store strategy.

We will also compare Goodnotes with Notability, another prominent app in the category, to identify stronger approaches to keyword optimization and creative strategy for ASO.

GOODNOTES’ APP KEYWORD STRATEGY

Goodnotes currently uses the title:

Goodnotes: AI notes, Docs, PDF

Its subtitle is: Notetaking, Planner & Journal

At first glance, Goodnotes does a strong job of incorporating relevant keywords while communicating several of the app's primary functions. Terms such as AI, notes, documents, PDF, planner, and journal can help the listing appeal to users searching for different types of productivity and note-taking solutions.

However, there is a potential opportunity to reduce keyword overlap between the title and subtitle. The title includes “AI notes,” while the subtitle includes “notetaking.” Although these terms describe different functions, both focus heavily on the same core concept.

Instead, Goodnotes could consider using the subtitle to highlight another valuable feature or capability, such as:

• Organization and folder management
• Collaboration capabilities
• Document management
• PDF editing or annotation

Expanding the keyword strategy in this way could allow Goodnotes to communicate a broader range of functionality while creating additional opportunities for visibility.

A CLOSER LOOK AT GOODNOTES’ APP STORE CREATIVES

Goodnotes uses all 10 available App Store screenshots, giving the company significant space to communicate the app's features and benefits.

The screenshots alternate between yellow, purple, blue, and green backgrounds. They also maintain a consistent design structure by using iPhone mockups throughout the creative set. Several screenshots include zoomed-in callouts to provide users with a closer look at specific features.

Each screenshot also includes two lines of messaging above the device. While this consistency can create a recognizable visual structure, the overall set of screenshots feels busy at first glance.

The primary challenge is readability and visual flow. Users should be able to quickly understand an app's value while scrolling through its listing. In Goodnotes' current screenshots, the combination of multiple text elements, device mockups, and zoomed-in sections can make the visuals harder to process.

Goodnotes could potentially test alternative creative strategies, including:

• Adding an App Store video to demonstrate the app experience in action
• Incorporating human imagery to show how the app fits into work or school environments
• Reducing the number of zoomed-in device callouts
• Simplifying the messaging within each screenshot
• Experimenting with additional design elements that guide users through the creative sequence

A strong creative strategy should not simply display app features. It should help users quickly understand why those features matter.

A/B testing can play an essential role in determining which creative approach resonates most effectively with a target audience. ASO tools such as Splitcube can help developers test visible listing elements before changes are permanently implemented. This approach allows teams to gather insights from real users and make more informed optimization decisions.

HOW DOES NOTABILITY COMPARE?

For this week’s competitor comparison, we are looking at Notability.

Notability currently uses the title: Notability: AI Notes & Planner

Its subtitle is: Daily Notebook & Study Journal

Like Goodnotes, Notability uses descriptive keywords that quickly communicate the app's primary functionality. However, there is some overlap between “AI notes” in the title and “daily notebook” in the subtitle.

While these phrases represent different aspects of the app, Notability could potentially use this space to highlight additional functionality. Keywords related to documents, PDFs, collaboration, or other distinctive features could provide an opportunity to expand the listing's messaging.

Overall, the title and subtitle accurately describe the app and quickly convey its primary purpose.

NOTABILITY’S CREATIVE STRATEGY

Notability takes a different approach to its App Store creatives. The listing uses five screenshots and places an App Store video before the screenshots.

The video immediately demonstrates the app experience while using engaging design elements and concise messaging. Throughout the video, viewers are introduced to features and benefits through messaging such as “all your notes,” “all of your teammates,” “flashcards in a flash,” “quizzes made quickly,” “record and replay,” and “ask your notes anything.”

Each message is presented in a separate frame, allowing users to quickly absorb the information without being overwhelmed by text.

The screenshots also maintain a clean and consistent visual approach. Background colors alternate primarily between blue and beige, while the first screenshot uses large, bold messaging alongside a design element and a partial iPhone mockup.

The remaining screenshots use concise messaging at the top, accompanied by an iPhone mockup below. Screenshots one and three also incorporate subtle design elements behind the text to add visual interest without distracting from the primary message.

Compared with Goodnotes' current creative strategy, Notability's screenshots feel easier to process at a glance. The messaging is large, concise, and readable, while the overall design avoids becoming overly saturated with information.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Our audit of Goodnotes and Notability demonstrates that even highly established apps can still refine their App Store optimization strategies.

Goodnotes effectively incorporates a wide range of relevant keywords and makes full use of its available screenshot space. However, there may be opportunities to reduce keyword overlap and create a more streamlined creative experience. Notability's approach demonstrates how concise messaging, clean visuals, and an engaging App Store video can quickly communicate an app's value.

The most effective strategy will ultimately depend on the target audience. That is why testing remains essential. By evaluating different keyword strategies and creative approaches with real users, developers can make data-informed decisions that support stronger App Store performance.

LET'S CHAT!

Is your app listing communicating its value as effectively as possible?

From keyword optimization and creative strategy to A/B testing and competitor analysis, Gummicube’s ASO services can help developers identify opportunities to strengthen their App Store presence. Our ASO experts use data-driven insights and industry expertise to help apps improve visibility, communicate their value, and reach more relevant users.

Let’s chat about how we can help optimize your App Store strategy.