aso
Competitive Set
The specific group of 5-15 apps that directly compete with yours for the same users, keywords, and category positions. The focused subset of your category used for benchmarking.
Your competitive set is the group of apps you actively monitor and benchmark against. It is not every app in your category - it is the specific apps that target the same users, solve the same problems, and compete for the same keywords.
Defining Your Competitive Set
Identify competitors based on:
- Keyword overlap - apps that rank for the same keywords you target
- Category proximity - apps near you in category rankings
- Functional similarity - apps that solve the same user problem
- User perception - apps that users mention as alternatives in reviews
A focused competitive set of 5-15 apps provides more actionable insights than trying to track every app in a broad category.
Using Your Competitive Set
Once defined, track your competitive set continuously:
- Monitor their keyword ranking changes weekly
- Track metadata updates (title, screenshots, description changes)
- Compare your ratings and review velocity against theirs
- Estimate their download volume relative to yours
- Analyze their pricing and monetization changes
Competitive Set vs Category
Your competitive set may span multiple categories. A meditation app’s competitive set might include apps from Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, and Entertainment. Don’t limit your analysis to apps in your primary category.
Updating Your Set
Review and update your competitive set quarterly. New apps enter the market, existing competitors pivot, and your own positioning may evolve. Tools like ASODOG help you identify new competitors that are gaining traction on keywords you care about.