The ASO Checklist for 2026

Screenshots punch above their weight — roughly 40% of App Store conversion in our category benchmarks. The rest of the stack still matters. Ranked by impact for indie teams:

The checklist

1. Screenshot kit (required sizes) — 6.7", 6.5", and iPad 12.9" at minimum. Export to App Store Connect specs; no stretching.
2. Title + subtitle keywords — one primary intent in the title, secondary in subtitle. Don't waste characters on the brand name twice.
3. App Preview video (15–30s) — optional but lifts install intent when the first three seconds show the aha moment.
4. Icon contrast — must read at 60×60. Test against both light and dark store chrome.
5. Custom product pages — locale- or campaign-specific kits; PreviewKit exports packs per locale.
6. Review velocity — a 4.6 with daily reviews beats a quiet 4.9.
7. Localization — captions translated, screenshots re-exported (machine-translated overlays kill trust).

Where PreviewKit fits

We own the screenshot and preview-kit layer — device frames, caption presets, ASC-ready exports. Pair that with honest review ops and a tight title, and you have the 2026 baseline.

Then practice the product itself on Stock Picks — the showcase client whose kit we publish as the gallery default.