Definition
Keyword Cannibalization
Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple metadata fields target the same keyword unnecessarily, wasting valuable character space. On Apple, each keyword only needs to appear once.
Keyword cannibalization is a common ASO mistake where developers repeat the same keywords across their title, subtitle, and keyword field on Apple's App Store. Since Apple indexes all these fields together, repeating a term wastes precious characters.
The fix is simple: use each keyword only once across all fields. Your title keywords don't need to be in the keyword field. This frees up space for additional unique keywords, expanding your total keyword coverage.
Avoid cannibalization with AppDrift's optimized metadata generation.
Related Terms
App Keywords Field
The App Keywords Field is a 100-character field in App Store Connect where developers enter comma-separated keywords. This field is hidden from users but indexed by Apple's search algorithm.
Keyword Optimization
Keyword optimization is the process of selecting and placing the most relevant, high-traffic keywords in your app metadata to improve search rankings and drive organic downloads.
Character Limits
Character limits define the maximum text length for each metadata field in the app stores. Exceeding limits causes submission rejection; optimal usage maximizes keyword coverage.
Further Reading
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