How to Get Your App Featured on the App Store by Apple

2024-12-04

How to Get Your App Featured on the App Store by Apple

In the fiercely competitive mobile app market, being selected and featured on the App Store by Apple is undoubtedly a dream come true for developers. This not only brings significant exposure and downloads to the app but also significantly boosts brand awareness and user stickiness. So, how can you increase the chances of being recommended by Apple? Here are some key strategies to help developers better attract Apple's attention.

1. Exclusive Launch Strategy

Ensuring that a new product launches exclusively on the iOS platform is one of the important means to attract Apple's attention. Apple has always been committed to providing users with unique and high-quality app experiences. Therefore, exclusively launched products are more likely to catch their interest. The Android platform can be appropriately launched later to balance multi-platform development needs. By launching exclusively on iOS, developers can demonstrate their emphasis and investment in the iOS platform, increasing the likelihood of being recommended by Apple.

2. Carefully Preparing Update Content

When an app undergoes significant updates, developers need to ensure the timing of the update's release and prepare showcase materials such as videos and screenshots beforehand. These materials should fully showcase the highlights and features of the update to convince Apple editors to include it in their recommendations. At the same time, developers need to stay informed about Apple's preferences for update content to ensure compliance with Apple's recommendation standards.

3. Localization Strategy

Understanding the customs and preferences of different regions is crucial for developers. By adjusting the content and design of the product to better suit local users' tastes, developers can greatly increase the chances of being recommended by Apple editors. For example, in response to specific regional festivals or cultural customs, developers can adjust product icons, skins, and launch related features or activities to attract local users' attention.

4. Festival Activity Coordination

Before special festivals or major events, developers can modify product icons and skins to provide obvious festival-oriented information, such as festival-related functions, items, or in-app activities. This not only enhances users' festival experience but also aligns the app with the festive atmosphere, making it easier to be recommended by Apple.

5. Keeping Up with New iOS Features

Every time Apple releases a new iOS version, it brings a series of new features. Developers who can promptly respond and develop apps that complement these new features will greatly increase their chances of being recommended by Apple. Apple often prioritizes recommending high-quality apps that fully leverage its new features to showcase the advantages and charm of the new iOS.

6. Regularly Applying for Recommendations

For already recommended high-quality apps, developers can regularly apply for recommendations before updates. By continuously showcasing improvements and updates to the app, developers can maintain communication with Apple and increase the possibility of being recommended again.

7. Joint Theme Applications

Developers can find apps that are related to or share common characteristics with their own and apply for recommendations together. In the email, clearly state the characteristics and recommendation reasons of the theme, which will help Apple editors better understand the app's features and advantages. Through joint applications, developers can jointly increase their chances of being recommended.

8. Utilizing App Store Self-Recommendation Websites

Apple Developer Self-Recommendation Backend

(https://developer.apple.com/contact/app-store/promote/) This is the self-recommendation channel provided by Apple for developers. Developers can log in to this backend and fill in self-recommendation content to recommend their apps to Apple. The self-recommendation content should preferably be in English, and the app should have unique design or functionality to increase the chances of a successful application.

Apple Developer Website Contact Information

At the bottom of the Apple Developer website's "Contact Us" page, select "App Settings and Distribution," click "Featured in the App Store," and then choose email as the contact method to fill in relevant information and submit the self-recommendation application.

Self-Recommendation Email

Developers can also submit self-recommendation applications to Apple via this email address. In the email, developers need to create an eye-catching subject and write the key points in the first two lines of the body to showcase the app's highlights and features. Additionally, attaching relevant showcase materials such as videos and screenshots can increase the success rate of the self-recommendation. (Email address: AppStorepromotion@Apple.com)

9. Precautions

Apply Early: Whether through the self-recommendation backend or email, it is essential to apply early. Generally, it is best to apply for featured recommendations 6-8 weeks in advance, while updates require 3-4 weeks in advance. For newly launched products, it is advisable to start preparing even earlier, preferably at least 1 month, or even 2 months, ahead of time.
Content Quality: The quality of the self-recommendation content is crucial. Developers need to ensure that the app has unique design and functionality and fully showcase these highlights. At the same time, attention should be paid to the layout and format of the email to ensure that Apple editors can easily read and understand the self-recommendation content.
Communicating with Apple Editors: Although self-recommendation websites are the primary channels for self-recommendation, developers can also try to establish contact with Apple editors through other means, such as attending Apple's developer conferences, searching and connecting with Apple editors on social media, etc. These approaches may help increase the success rate of the self-recommendation.

In summary, being selected and featured on the App Store by Apple requires developers to make efforts in multiple aspects. By adopting strategies such as exclusive launches, carefully preparing update content, localization, coordinating with festival activities, keeping up with new iOS features, regularly applying for recommendations, joint theme applications, and utilizing self-recommendation websites, developers can significantly increase their chances of being recommended by Apple, thereby gaining more exposure and users for their apps.

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How to Get Your App Featured on the App Store by Apple