---
title: Boosting new keywords with a download burst after an ASO update
slug: aso-download-burst-after-metadata-update
summary: Steve P. Young's optional tactic of running a 2-day free lifetime offer promoted on Indie App Santa or Reddit right after a metadata change, to spike download velocity for new keywords.
domain: mobile-apps
tags: [aso, download-velocity, launch, promotion]
related: [aso-ranking-factors, aso-metadata-fields-and-keyword-placement, aso-keyword-selection-criteria]
sources: [yt:ytAKZDh5eHU]
updated: 2026-10-23
---

# Boosting new keywords with a download burst after an ASO update

## TL;DR
- Download volume and **velocity** are top ranking factors, so a short spike can help freshly targeted keywords climb.[^1][^2]
- Steve's tactic: right after an ASO update, offer **lifetime access free for ~2 days** and promote it.[^2]
- Promotion channels he uses: **Indie App Santa** (a company App Masters owns) and relevant **subreddits**.[^2]
- In his experience this usually drives **thousands of downloads** in that window.[^2]
- Optional — "not necessary"; the keyword selection does the heavy lifting.[^2]

## Details
Sequence (February 2026):
1. Ship the metadata update with your new 6–10 target keywords ([[aso-keyword-selection-criteria]]).
2. Once live, switch on a free lifetime offer for 2 days.[^2]
3. Post it to deal audiences (Indie App Santa, subreddits for your niche).[^2]
4. The concentrated installs act as a velocity signal that gives the new keywords "a bit of a push".[^2]

Steve acknowledges push-back on giving away lifetime access but says "it still works".[^2]

## Disagreements / caveats
- Promoter bias: Indie App Santa is Steve's own company.[^2]
- Editorial note (not from the source): free-lifetime users won't pay later; on a subscription app this trades some future revenue for ranking momentum. Measure keyword rank change afterwards rather than assuming it worked.
- No numbers are given on rank impact, only download counts.

## See also
- [[aso-ranking-factors]] — why velocity matters

[^1]: yt:ytAKZDh5eHU @ 01:33 — Steve P. Young
[^2]: yt:ytAKZDh5eHU @ 07:37 — Steve P. Young