---
title: Producing screenshots and running Product Page Optimization tests
slug: app-store-screenshot-production-and-ppo-setup
summary: Step-by-step from screenshot creation (AppScreens templates, AI captions, device frames) to uploading and launching an Apple Product Page Optimization test, with the App Store Connect gotchas.
domain: mobile-apps
tags: [aso, screenshots, product-page-optimization, app-store-connect, appscreens, tools]
related: [app-store-screenshot-copy-best-practices, app-store-screenshot-ab-test-results, custom-product-pages-for-ads, aso-international-localization-opportunities]
sources: [yt:x41YQ11Regg, yt:4RpS1BMJEaw, yt:ytAKZDh5eHU]
updated: 2026-10-23
---

# Producing screenshots and running Product Page Optimization tests

## TL;DR
- Apple's native A/B test is **Product Page Optimization (PPO)** in App Store Connect; Steve runs **one treatment** per test (50/50).[^1][^2]
- **Only one PPO draft/test at a time** — creating a new one errors while a draft exists; stop or delete the old one first.[^3]
- A test must be **added for review and submitted** before it starts; keep one item in review at a time.[^4]
- Careful with **"Apply"** on a winner — it replaces the live screenshots.[^5]
- Manual App Store Connect uploads often error out or **scramble the order**; Steve uploads via AppScreens' API integration to avoid this.[^6]
- Upload only the device sizes you actually designed (e.g. 6.5" only; deselect 6.9" and iPad).[^7]

## Details
Context: AppScreens sponsored both videos (July and Sept 2026); the PPO rules are App Store Connect behaviour as Steve observed it then.

**1. Create the screenshots (AppScreens).**
- Start from a template or the **AI screenshot creator**; choose a caption goal — Steve picks "search intent" (alternatives: ASO expert, outcome, emoji, direct, friendly).[^8]
- Upload raw UI captures and drag them into order; Steve likes a **person photo** among the first three.[^9]
- Per screenshot choose framing: flat or 3D device mock-up, tilted, dynamic frame, or full-screen (used for the photo of a person).[^10][^11]
- Edit captions manually or regenerate one with the star icon; tweak text colours to match the palette.[^11][^12]
- Add locales and auto-translate ([[aso-international-localization-opportunities]]).[^13]
- **Preview as a user**: see the search-results view (first three) and the scrolling product page before exporting.[^6]

**2. Push to App Store Connect.** Preview & export → connect App Store Connect credentials → choose locales (e.g. US English only) → **Replace** the primary listing, **Append**, create a **Custom Product Page**, or create a **Product Page Optimization** with N treatments → name it → pick device sizes → Upload.[^14][^1][^7]

**3. Launch the PPO test.** App Store Connect → your app → Product Page Optimization → open the draft, check order → Start test → Add for review → Submit for review.[^15][^4]

**4. Read results.** In PPO "View analytics", compare treatment vs baseline; apply the winner deliberately.[^5][^16]

**5. Iterate** with the next single-variable test (order → social proof → human vs screen) — see [[app-store-screenshot-ab-test-results]].[^3]

## Disagreements / caveats
- Steve doesn't give the traffic or duration needed for significance; low-download apps will wait long for a result.
- Steve's metric for screenshot impact is product-page-view → download, not App Store Connect "impressions".[^17]

## See also
- [[app-store-screenshot-copy-best-practices]]
- [[custom-product-pages-for-ads]] — the other use of alternative product pages

[^1]: yt:4RpS1BMJEaw @ 07:19 — Steve P. Young
[^2]: yt:4RpS1BMJEaw @ 13:19 — Steve P. Young
[^3]: yt:4RpS1BMJEaw @ 11:40 — Steve P. Young
[^4]: yt:4RpS1BMJEaw @ 13:19 — Steve P. Young
[^5]: yt:4RpS1BMJEaw @ 08:47 — Steve P. Young
[^6]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 14:49 — Steve P. Young
[^7]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 16:54 — Steve P. Young
[^8]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 07:25 — Steve P. Young
[^9]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 08:22 — Steve P. Young
[^10]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 09:14 — Steve P. Young
[^11]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 10:02 — Steve P. Young
[^12]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 11:16 — Steve P. Young
[^13]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 12:10 — Steve P. Young
[^14]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 15:46 — Steve P. Young
[^15]: yt:x41YQ11Regg @ 17:42 — Steve P. Young
[^16]: yt:4RpS1BMJEaw @ 09:50 — Steve P. Young
[^17]: yt:ytAKZDh5eHU @ 01:33 — Steve P. Young