PickFu's App Store Optimization (ASO) playbook walks you through testing every core element of your mobile game's listing — icon, trailer, screenshots, description, and the full listing. This article covers how to start it, advanced tests beyond the core steps, and answers to common questions.

Example result: an icon test ranks your icon concepts by download intent and summarizes what's catching players' eyes.

The step-by-step ASO playbook — icon, gameplay trailer, screenshots, description, and full-listing validation, plus recommended targeting by genre and pro tips — now lives in our docs:

👉 Run the step-by-step ASO playbook →

Starting it in the app: log into PickFu, find the Playbooks section on your dashboard, and click the ASO playbook. You'll get a pre-built project with a link to run each test, plus an AI-powered report across all of them. (More on using playbooks →)

Once you've run the core listing tests, these additional tests cover scenarios the main playbook doesn't.

Video preview testing — app store video previews auto-play and are increasingly important for conversion. Test 2–4 video thumbnails or short clips before investing in full video production.
​"Which video preview thumbnail would make you MOST want to watch and learn about this mobile [GENRE] game?"
Poll type: Ranked · 50 respondents

Custom Product Page (CPP) testing — validate which CPP headline or visual package will perform before driving paid traffic to it (iOS 15+).
​Single CPP: "Based on this app store page, would you download and play this game? Why or why not?" (Open-Ended)
​Headline comparison: "Which landing page headline for a [GENRE] game grabs your interest most?" (Ranked)
50 respondents · target the segment the CPP is built for

Featured graphic / banner testing — when your game gets featured by Apple or Google, the featured graphic is your biggest impression opportunity. Pre-test it.
​"Which banner image best represents an exciting mobile [GENRE] game? Which makes you want to learn more?"
Poll type: Ranked · 50 respondents

Genre clarity check — confirm your icon communicates genre.
​"What type of game do you think this is based on this icon alone?"
Poll type: Open-Ended · 30 respondents

Single-screenshot first impression — audit one screenshot without ranking.
​"What do you notice first about this screenshot? What does it tell you about the game?"
Poll type: Open-Ended · 30 respondents

Competitor audit — see where you stand against direct competitors on the search page.
​"You see these game icons in the app store. Which one would you tap first? Why?"
Poll type: Ranked · 50 respondents · include 3–5 competitor icons + yours

Global market validation — duplicate any core poll and change the country targeting before investing in geo-specific UA. Strong US performers sometimes underperform in SEA or LATAM due to art style, color, or character preferences.

If no single icon reaches 35%+ first-place votes, read the qualitative responses for common themes across the top two finishers, combine their strongest visual elements into a new variation, and re-run with the new variant replacing the weakest performer.

Yes. Early-stage screenshots — even mockups or rough frames — are valid for directional feedback. Use 30–50 respondents instead of 100 for early tests, then re-test with finalized assets before launch.

Target the primary genre you're positioning for. If you're genuinely 50/50 (e.g. a strategy RPG), run the poll twice — once per genre — and compare whether the same icon wins both audiences.

Re-run the screenshot and full-listing tests after every major update or seasonal re-skin, or any time install rate drops more than 10% without a clear UA explanation.

Not for initial launch. Establish winners with your primary audience first, then duplicate the winning polls, switch the country parameter, and re-test with 30–50 respondents — art style and character design can perform very differently across markets.