Apple's official first-list ranking and recommendation rules丨Discovery on the App Store

Apple recently updated its developer backend, adding not only new WWDC-related sections and opening 5 Chinese navigation bar entrances, but also pushing a news article "Discovery on the App Store" on the App Store plan page, introducing how Apple displays apps to users. This article does not have a Chinese version yet, so Xiao An translated it and extracted some useful information for developers' reference.

Explore the App Store

To help Apple users discover more excellent apps and games , we have editorial staff around the world who select excellent apps and recommend them to the App Store. The following content is the common characteristics of apps in different display positions in the App Store and those recommended apps.

Useful information: The editors recommended by Apple are not only located in the United States, but all over the world (original text around the world) - this is indeed relatively useful information. If you can contact editors from all over the world, you will be one step closer to being recommended.

1. Recommended Products

We have different editorial teams responsible for recommending the latest apps to users, and we differentiate between different platforms such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Recommended apps fall into the following categories: outstanding new apps, existing apps that have undergone major updates, apps that have been successfully localized, and apps that are relevant to specific cultures.

Valid information: Apps recommended by Apple are mostly new apps or apps that have just been updated; after an app has been online/updated for a period of time, the probability of it being recommended again is very small.

On the recommendation page, the editor will organize the recommended apps into several topics, which will cover different themes, interests, hobbies, cultural events and other elements. The recommended homepage can display apps to users, and each category page also has related content.

2. App Rankings

The App Rankings list shows the apps with the highest revenue or the most downloads in the App Store, and is divided into three lists: free, paid, and best-selling. The leaderboards are available across all Apple devices, with more detailed breakdowns available on iPhone and iPad.

Effective information: Download volume is still the most important factor affecting App rankings; although revenue is also an important factor, it is very difficult to operate.

3. Explore Page

The Discovery page will present a more comprehensive display of the App Store to Apple users, with the following display methods: Featured, Featured Collections, Local Popular Apps and App Categories.

The Discover page is available in the App Store on iPhone and iPad devices.

4. Search Page

Apple users can search for apps by searching app titles, keywords, and developer names. In order to help users find the app that best matches their search intent (that is, the app that users want most), the AppStore will provide multiple app search results for users to download. On iPhone devices, users can also see popular searches to know what other users are searching for.

Effective information: Apple attaches great importance to the user's search experience, and its search algorithm will continue to be optimized, so search rankings will become more and more important.

5. How Apps are recommended

All recommended apps have one thing in common - they provide unique value to Apple users. We screen newly launched or updated apps in all categories and display high-quality apps to users. This process does not require payment or other formalities. Our editors will assess the various factors that make the App popular with users:

UI design: clear, attractive, and beautiful;

User experience: efficient and practical;

Innovation: It can solve specific needs of users and use the latest features of Apple.

·Excellent product quality and excellent localization;

The product is smooth to use;

·There is a beautiful App details page;

Have sufficiently outstanding features.

For games, our editors also consider:

Gameplay and engagement

Content and plot;

Game stickiness

· Picture;

·control;

Sound effects.

If a developer has an app that is about to be launched or has a major update, and thinks it is worth recommending to users, please contact us 3 weeks before the launch/update.