# Apple Search Ads

Apple Search Ads campaign strategy for indie developers, paid acquisition, keyword...

- Repository: https://github.com/rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills (846 stars)
- Category: Marketing
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-07-24
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills --skill apple-search-ads -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills --skill apple-search-ads -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills --skill apple-search-ads -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills --skill apple-search-ads -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills`

## Description

Apple Search Ads campaign strategy for indie developers, paid acquisition, keyword bidding, budget planning, and ROAS optimization. Use when user asks about running ads, paid user acquisition, or Apple Search Ads campaigns.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Apple Search Ads for Indie Developers

Plan, launch, and optimize Apple Search Ads campaigns that deliver profitable user acquisition for indie apps.

## When This Skill Activates

Use this skill when the user:
- Asks about paid user acquisition or running ads for their app
- Mentions "Apple Search Ads", "Search Ads", or "ASA"
- Wants to set up ad campaigns in the App Store
- Asks about keyword bidding, CPT, or CPA optimization
- Needs help with campaign structure or budget allocation
- Wants to understand if paid acquisition makes sense for their app
- Asks how to complement ASO with paid promotion

## Pre-Requisite Check: Are You Ready for Ads?

Before recommending any campaign setup, verify these minimum thresholds. Running ads on an unoptimized listing burns money.

### Minimum Thresholds

| Requirement | Threshold | Why |
|-------------|-----------|-----|
| Organic downloads | 100+/month | Proves baseline demand exists |
| App Store page CVR | > 20% | Ads amplify your listing, a bad listing wastes spend |
| Screenshots | 5+ optimized | Paid traffic sees your product page first |
| Ratings | 3.5+ stars (or none) | Low ratings kill conversion from ads |
| Crash-free rate | > 99% | Crashes destroy ROAS through refunds and bad reviews |
| Monetization | Active | No point acquiring users you can't monetize |

**If thresholds are not met:**
- Focus on organic ASO first (use `keyword-optimizer` skill)
- Fix product page conversion (use `screenshot-planner` and `app-description-writer` skills)
- Improve app quality and ratings before spending on acquisition

### Readiness Decision

```
Have 100+ organic downloads/month?
├── NO → Stop. Fix organic first.
└── YES → Is your product page CVR > 20%?
    ├── NO → Optimize listing first, then run ads.
    └── YES → Ready for Apple Search Ads.
```

## Campaign Types

The rest: https://github.com/rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/app-store/apple-search-ads/SKILL.md