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Do Keyword Misspellings Help Grow Downloads for ASO?

The Hidden Power of Misspelled Keywords in ASO

What if you could double your app downloads by ranking for keywords most developers ignore?

Here’s why imperfect spelling = perfect ASO opportunities (plus 3 free tools to find them).

One of the things which helped our clients grow downloads is finding and targeting keyword misspellings. We had a whopping 128% increase because he learned about a misspelling of a very popular keyword which had a good amount of traffic and a very low competition. We got to rank number 1 for this keyword. The thing that you should consider though is the fact that the misspelled word that you would be focusing on should have traffic since a lot of them do not.

  • The first tool that you can use to find these misspelled words is SEO Book -Keyword Typo Generator. Just type in a word and choose a parameter such as skipping a space, forgetting a letter or mistyping a key and it will generate all the results. Copy and paste the keywords and drop them into your favorite ASO tool after that to determine traffic and difficulty scores.
  • The second tool is SpellChecker.net but I must warn you that the site is spammy and comes with lots of crazy ads. I usually take the top 7 results and place them into Apple Search Ads to get a sense of the traffic and difficulty scores. I have a Chrome extension plug in put in place to be able to see this.
  • My favorite one so far though is a free tool called AppFollow. Once inside the tool, go to the ASO Tools tab and choose Search Ad Quality Score from the dropdown. Key in the word which you feel has potential and once the tool gives you the results, pick the first app in the list. Once you click on that app, it will give you a list of words which Apple would have auto suggested for you. The cool thing is, you get the see the scores right then and there sans the need for Chrome extensions. This is how you can stumble on misspelled words which you can then use for your own app.

Why Misspelled Keywords Work (Real Case Study)

Steve’s team helped a client:
✅ Discover a frequently misspelled keyword in their niche
✅ Rank #1 for it (with low competition)
✅ 2X their downloads without increasing ad spend

Key Insight:
Many users mistype popular keywords (e.g., “entrepreneur” → “entreprenuer”). If those typos have decent traffic but low competition, they’re goldmines for organic growth.

3 Free Tools to Find Profitable Misspellings

1. SEO Book’s Keyword Typo Generator

  • Generates hundreds of misspelling variations (e.g., skipped letters, swapped keys).

  • Best for: Brainstorming potential typos.

  • Tip: Don’t overdo it—focus on realistic misspellings.

2. SpellChecker.net

  • Shows common misspellings for any word (e.g., “fiverr” → “fiver”).

  • How to use: Replace the URL slug (e.g., spellchecker.net/fiverr).

  • Pro Tip: Test the top 7 misspellings in Apple Search Ads for traffic data.

3. AppFollow’s Search Ads Quality Score (Best Tool!)

  • Reveals misspellings Apple Search Ads suggests (with traffic scores).

  • Example: “Fiber” (correct) vs. “Fiver” (misspelled, but with 31 traffic score).

  • Why it wins: Finds real user search behavior, not just guesses.

How to Validate a Misspelled Keyword

Before optimizing, check:
1️⃣ Traffic Volume (Use Apple Search Ads or Sensor Tower)
2️⃣ Competition (Low = easier to rank)
3️⃣ Intent (Does it relate to your app?)

Steve’s Winning Formula:

“Generic keyword + Misspelling + Low Competition = Download Boom.”

3 Actionable Tips for Misspelling ASO

🔥 1. Prioritize High-Traffic Misspellings – Ignore typos with <5 traffic score.
🔥 2. Monitor Rankings Daily – Use App Radar (free for 200 keywords).
🔥 3. Don’t Over-Optimize – Stuffing looks spammy. Natural use only!

Want the Full ASO Playbook?

This strategy is just one module in App Masters Academy, which includes:

  • Step-by-step ASO guides

  • Case studies from real campaigns

  • Community support

👉 Join now at AppMastersAcademy.com

Final Thoughts: Typos = Untapped Growth

Most developers ignore misspellings—but smart marketers profit from them. By targeting these “hidden” keywords, you can:
✔️ Rank #1 faster (less competition)
✔️ 2X downloads (like Steve’s client)
✔️ Boost organic growth (no ad spend needed)

Next Steps:

  1. Pick a core keyword (e.g., “meditation”).

  2. Find misspellings (using the tools above).

  3. Track & optimize for the winners.

Tried this? Share your results in the comments! 🚀

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