App Store Featuring: A Step-by-Step Guide for Developers

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Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik

App Store Featuring: A Step-by-Step Guide for Developers

Featuring on the App Store can significantly boost your app’s visibility and credibility. When your app is showcased in curated sections – like “Today,” “Editor’s Choice,” or other recommended lists – you tap into a vast audience of potential users. This leads to higher organic traffic, a download surge, and more substantial brand recognition. Below are practical tips to help you optimize your chances of getting featured.

  1. Deliver High Quality and Attractive Design
    • Follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines to ensure your UI looks professional and functions smoothly
    • Create a clear, intuitive user flow so that new users can quickly understand how your app works
    • Use high-resolution graphics and visuals that align with Apple’s design standards
  2. Prioritize Localizations
    • Translate your app’s text and metadata into key languages relevant to your target markets
    • Adapt screenshots, preview videos, and promotional text to each region’s cultural preferences
    • Provide localized customer support whenever possible to enhance user satisfaction
  3. Embrace Innovation
    • Stay up to date with the latest Apple technologies, such as Live Activities, widget integrations, or new APIs
    • Showcase creative solutions or interactive elements that set your app apart from competitors
    • Highlight these innovative features in your description and screenshots
  4. Optimize Your Store Listing
    • Use professional analytics tools like ASOMobile to select impactful keywords for your title and subtitle.
    • Offer concise, benefit-driven descriptions that clearly explain how your app solves user problems
    • Use eye-catching screenshots and short videos to demonstrate core functionality at a glance
  5. Manage Reviews and Ratings Effectively
    • Request user feedback at opportune moments (for example, after a successful in-app action)
    • Respond to user reviews – both positive and negative – to show you value their feedback
    • Strive for a rating of at least 4.5, as a higher average review score can influence editorial decisions
  6. Take Advantage of Featuring Nominations
    • Use App Store Connect to submit a nomination at least a few weeks before significant updates or new releases
    • Clearly explain your app’s unique selling points and how recent improvements benefit the user experience
    • Provide supporting materials, such as marketing visuals and TestFlight links, to strengthen your submission
  7. Leverage the Power of Organic Traffic
    • Being featured often results in a 200% increase in installations within the first week
    • Thematic collections can provide a further boost, sometimes increasing your downloads by fivefold
    • Continue refining your app post-feature to sustain momentum and capitalize on elevated exposure

Remember that being featured is not a matter of luck – it results from consistent, strategic work.