Localizing for Right-to-Left Languages: Arabic and Hebrew ASO Guide

Why RTL Languages Deserve Special Attention

Arabic and Hebrew are right-to-left (RTL) languages that present unique localization challenges. Many developers avoid them entirely, which means less competition and significant opportunity for those who get it right.

Arabic is spoken by 400+ million people. Hebrew, while smaller (9 million speakers), represents a high-income market with strong App Store spending. Together, they're worth the extra attention.

Understanding RTL Languages

How RTL Text Works

In RTL languages:

• Text flows from right to left
• Paragraphs start on the right side
• Numbers remain left-to-right within text
• Mixed content (RTL text + numbers) has complex ordering

Example (Arabic):

`

English: "Track your 30-day progress"

Arabic: "تتبع تقدمك لمدة 30 يومًا"

→ Text flows right-to-left

→ "30" displays correctly within the flow

`

How App Store Handles RTL

Good news: App Store Connect handles RTL display automatically.

When you enter Arabic or Hebrew content:

• Text direction switches appropriately
• Alignment adjusts for RTL reading
• Numbers display correctly inline

You don't need special formatting or encoding. Just enter proper RTL text.

Arabic Localization

The Arabic Locale

App Store Connect uses ar-SA (Arabic - Saudi Arabia) as the Arabic locale. This serves as the primary Arabic listing, displayed to users across Arabic-speaking countries.

Arabic Language Characteristics

Formality levels:

Arabic has formal (فصحى - Fusha) and colloquial variants. For App Store content, use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)—understood across all Arabic-speaking regions.

Text length:

Arabic text is typically 20-30% shorter than English. You'll have room to spare in most fields.

Script considerations:

Arabic script is cursive—letters connect and change shape based on position. This affects how text renders but doesn't require special handling.

Arabic Keyword Research

Don't translate English keywords—research what Arabic speakers actually search:

Common patterns:

• Tech terms often use Arabic transliterations of English words
• "App" → "تطبيق" (tatbiq) or "آب" (transliteration)
• Category terms use native Arabic words

Research approach:

• Set device language to Arabic
• Search App Store for your category
• Note autocomplete suggestions
• Study competitor listings in Arabic

Example keyword differences:

Cultural Considerations for Arabic Markets

Religious sensitivity:

• Avoid imagery involving alcohol, pork, or religious symbols
• Friday is the weekend day (not Sunday)
• Ramadan timing affects user behavior

Design preferences:

• Rich, decorative aesthetics often appreciated
• Green is a positive color (associated with Islam)
• Conservative imagery preferred for human figures

Tone:

• Formal, respectful tone expected
• Direct sales language may seem aggressive
• Testimonials and social proof effective

Hebrew Localization

The Hebrew Locale

App Store Connect uses he for Hebrew. This serves the Israeli market primarily.

Hebrew Language Characteristics

Text length:

Hebrew runs about 20-30% shorter than English. Similar to Arabic, you'll have extra space.

Modern vs. traditional:

Modern Hebrew (used in Israel) is standard for tech content. No need for classical/biblical Hebrew.

Vowel markings:

Modern Hebrew often omits vowel markings (nikud). Standard App Store content shouldn't include them.

Hebrew Keyword Research

Israeli search behavior:

• Mix of Hebrew and English terms
• English tech terms often used directly
• Hebrew translations may not be searched

Example:

Israeli users might search "app" (in English) rather than "אפליקציה" (Hebrew translation). Test both.

Research approach:

• Set device region to Israel
• Test searches in Hebrew and English
• Note which yields better results
• Include both in keyword field when relevant

Cultural Considerations for Israel

Weekend timing:

• Israeli weekend is Friday-Saturday
• Time scheduling apps should account for this

Holiday awareness:

• Jewish holidays affect app usage patterns
• Localized "What's New" can reference relevant holidays

Directness:

• Israeli communication style is direct
• Clear, no-nonsense copy works well
• Less formal than Arabic markets

Handling Mixed Content

Numbers in RTL Text

Numbers display left-to-right within RTL text. The system handles this automatically.

Example:

"اشترك الآن بخصم 50%" (Subscribe now with 50% discount)

• "50%" appears correctly within the RTL flow

Best practice:

Write naturally. Don't try to manually control number placement.

English Words in RTL Text

Sometimes you need English words (brand names, tech terms) in RTL text:

Example:

"تطبيق ShipLocal لترجمة التطبيقات" (ShipLocal app for app translation)

• "ShipLocal" appears in correct reading order

The system handles this. Write naturally.

URLs in RTL Content

URLs remain LTR within RTL text:

`

للمزيد من المعلومات: www.example.com

`

No special handling needed.

Character Limits and RTL

Generous Limits for RTL

Because Arabic and Hebrew are more compact than English, you'll often have extra space:

Making Use of Extra Space

Options:

• More detailed descriptions
• Additional keywords
• Expanded feature explanations
• More social proof

Don't pad content unnecessarily, but use the space if it adds value.

Screenshot Considerations

Text Direction in Screenshots

If your screenshots have text overlays:

Option 1: Mirror the layout

• Flip the screenshot layout for RTL
• Text aligned to right
• Visual flow reversed

Option 2: Maintain layout, change text only

• Keep visual layout consistent
• Only change text content
• Simpler to produce

Both approaches work. Choose based on your resources and brand consistency needs.

RTL UI Screenshots

If your app itself has RTL support:

• Capture screenshots in RTL mode
• Shows users the app respects their language
• Builds trust and conversion

If your app is English-only:

• Still localize screenshot overlays
• Be transparent that app content is English
• Focus on visual/universal elements

Common RTL Localization Mistakes

Mistake 1: Ignoring RTL Entirely

Problem: Assuming it's too complex, so skipping these markets.

Reality: App Store handles RTL display. Localization isn't harder than other languages—just different.

Mistake 2: Machine Translation

Problem: Arabic machine translation quality is lower than European languages.

Reality: Arabic has complex grammar with many correct variations. AI localization tools trained on Arabic content perform much better than generic translators.

Mistake 3: Wrong Arabic Variant

Problem: Using dialectal Arabic instead of MSA.

Reality: Dialects vary significantly (Egyptian, Gulf, Levantine). MSA is understood everywhere and appropriate for formal content.

Mistake 4: Incorrect Text Rendering

Problem: Copy-pasting text that's been improperly encoded.

Reality: Always work with proper Unicode. If text looks scrambled, you have encoding issues.

Testing RTL Localization

Before Publishing

Check text display:

• Preview in App Store Connect
• Verify text reads correctly
• Check for any display anomalies

Verify content quality:

• Have native speakers review
• Check for awkward phrasing
• Verify cultural appropriateness

Test keywords:

• Search on device set to Arabic/Hebrew
• Verify your app appears
• Note ranking position

After Publishing

Monitor metrics:

• Track impressions in ar-SA and he locales
• Monitor conversion rates
• Compare to other localized markets

Gather feedback:

• Watch for reviews mentioning translation quality
• Monitor support requests from these regions

Getting Started

Quick-Start Checklist

For Arabic (ar-SA):

• [ ] Research Arabic keywords for your category
• [ ] Localize app name and subtitle
• [ ] Write culturally-appropriate description
• [ ] Review with native speaker
• [ ] Localize primary screenshots (optional but recommended)

For Hebrew (he):

• [ ] Research Hebrew + English keywords
• [ ] Localize app name and subtitle
• [ ] Write direct, clear description
• [ ] Review with native speaker
• [ ] Localize primary screenshots (optional)

Resources

Arabic:

• Use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
• Consider cultural sensitivities
• Test on device set to Arabic

Hebrew:

• Use modern Israeli Hebrew
• Include English tech terms where appropriate
• Test on device set to Hebrew region

The Opportunity

Most developers avoid RTL languages. This creates opportunity:

• Less competition in these markets
• Users appreciate well-localized content
• High-spending user bases (especially Israel)

With proper attention to RTL specifics, Arabic and Hebrew localization can deliver strong ROI and differentiate your app from competitors who haven't made the effort.