[kolinko]

I spent a ton of time testing the Apple's search algorithm for AppCodes.com - didn't find any relationship between ratings and keyword ranks.

Here's a summary of what I found out: http://www.slideshare.net/kolinko/new-rules-in-app-store-sea...

Basically - neither downloads, nor ratings, nor description counts.

[mrborgen]

Thats interesting. How do you think they rank them then?

[kolinko]

No idea - whatever we did, we never managed to move apps' positions one way or another.

I've also seen apps that have few downloads, few rankings and lousy reviews, but get positioned higher than competitors that are more popular and have better rankings. Although popularity seems to have some influence.

What I'm telling people is to see if they rank high. If they do - keep the words/phrases. If they don't - forget them, and look for some other ones.

[mrborgen]

That last sentence pretty much sums up ASO :)