5 Free ASO Keyword Research Tools Beginners Shouldn’t Ignore

If app marketing feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to begin, you’re not alone. Every day, we talk to indie developers and bootstrapped founders struggling with plateauing downloads, confusing paid ads, or just figuring out what users are really searching for.

That’s why I am breaking down five beginner-friendly, completely free ASO (App Store Optimization) keyword research tools, so you can start growing your app the smart way – without spending a dime.

Here’s the thing: these aren’t your run-of-the-mill tools. They’ve helped real apps go from nearly invisible to printing cash – literally bringing in $80K+ in 9 months from organic App Store traffic alone.

🎥 Check out the full video here

 

Why ASO Still Works (Especially If You’re Broke)

Let’s be real. If you’re flush with VC funding, you can jump straight into Meta ads or TikTok influencers.

But if you’re bootstrapped? Or just not ready to burn cash?

ASO is your best friend.

With the right keywords, even niche apps can rank, get downloads, and start generating real revenue without spending a dime on ads.

“It’s not about going broad; it’s about going deep. Ranking #1 for meditation is hard. But deep breathing for anxiety? That’s your low-competition, high-intent goldmine.”

Tool #1: Google Trends

If you’re new to keyword research, start here.

Google Trends helps you spot rising search trends and filter by location, date range, and category.

Search a term like “AI notetaker”, then scroll to see rising related queries like:

• “Granola AI”
• “Turbo Learn”

Now plug those terms into your ASO tool of choice (like AppFollow) and check if there’s already an app ranking for them. If not, you’ve found a blue ocean opportunity.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the “Past 12 months” filter. Trends come and go fast you want the ones that are just now breaking out.

Tool #2: AppFollow (Free Version)

This one’s built for app marketers.

With AppFollow’s free plan, you can:

• Enter a keyword like “AI notetaker”
• View top apps that rank for it
• Click the 👁️ to see related keywords
• Spot low-competition opportunities like “Phantom Notetaker”

One cool trick? Filter by apps with low ratings that’s where you can sneak in and beat them with better ASO and UI.

“Don’t just chase what’s popular. Chase what’s underserved.”

Tool #3: Google Keyword Planner

Part of the Google Ads suite but you don’t need to run ads to use it.

Drop in a seed term like “AI notetaker”, and Google will return dozens of related search phrases such as:

• AI meeting notetaker
• Transcribe Zoom calls
• Voice to notes app

Look for long-tail keywords with clear intent. Then make sure they’re showing App Store search volume using tools like AppFollow or Sensor Tower (if available).

Tool #4: FoxData

FoxData is a newer ASO tool gaining traction, and we’re loving it lately.

You can plug in a competitor app (like Otter) and see:

• Keywords they rank for
• Difficulty level
• Non-branded keyword gems

Tool #5: VidIQ (For YouTube Keywords)

VidIQ is designed for YouTube creators but if you’re doing any influencer marketing or content marketing, this tool is a must-have.

Why?

YouTube content ranks for months (or years), unlike a 24-hour Instagram story or a viral video. Use VidIQ to:

• Search “AI notetaker”
• View search volume, competition, and related tags
• Find what people are actually watching and searching

If your app solves a problem that’s trending on YouTube, you’ve just found your content angle (and a great ASO keyword to match).

“Influencer traffic is great, but content that lives forever is even better. Think SEO meets UGC.”

Proof This Works: A Real $80K App

The story of an AI app that launched in October 2024. With nothing but smart ASO and keyword targeting, it went from $100 in September to $5,000 in October and has since generated over $80K in organic revenue.

The kicker?

It was a spinoff from a bigger app and the feature already had keyword demand. They just gave it its own space and app.

Recap: 5 Free ASO Tools to Kickstart Your App Growth

Here’s a quick rundown of the free tools covered:

Tool	Use Case
Google Trends	Spot rising search trends early
AppFollow	Analyze keyword rankings and competitors
Google Keyword Planner	Discover long-tail, high-intent keywords
Fox Data	Reverse-engineer competitors’ keywords
VidIQ	Find YouTube keyword and content opportunities

You don’t need money to start marketing your app, but you do need curiosity, tools, and action.

Final Thoughts (From Us at App Masters)

We know how hard app marketing can be when you’re just starting out.

These tools might seem simple, but when used right, they’re powerful weapons for organic growth. 

Don’t wait for a paid ad budget. Start researching, optimizing & ranking.

👉 Need help finding the perfect keyword strategy for your app?
We’ve helped 1000s of apps grow without burning a dime.
Book a call with us at AppMasters.com