Each developer, from solo indie devs to large mega-corporations, has dreamt of Apple selecting them as a featured app on the App Retailer. There are tens of millions of apps within the retailer, and when featured, yours is on the prime of the heap. No less than for a number of days.
Earlier than I’m going additional, it’s essential to know I do know little or no in regards to the inner decision-making course of by which apps get featured. I do know there are editorial groups who make choices and that there are completely different groups for various areas, however that’s about it!
When the App Retailer first launched, I believe the apps that acquired featured have been seemingly sourced by the editorial groups themselves. I think about they might discover apps that they thought have been fascinating and get suggestions from different Apple workers. There wasn’t any formal exterior nomination course of that I do know of.
As time went on, although, that modified. I’m unsure what type the primary course of took, but when I keep in mind accurately, it began as an electronic mail deal with after which turned a type you would fill in. Additionally they began to write down nice guides on how one can improve your possibilities of them selecting your app. The frequent notion was that it was a closed and secretive course of, however the doorways to nominating apps opened up a few years in the past.
Issues modified once more final week as the method turned much more structured. Right here’s the complete Developer Information announcement, however the gist of it’s which you could now submit and observe the standing of requests to have an app featured. You may choose the kind of characteristic you’re nominating your self for, like should you add new content material or improve your app’s performance. You may also save draft variations earlier than you submit, and see who in your group final edited a submission. It seems to be nice.
The opposite factor that this variation normalises is that it’s OK, and even inspired, to submit your app for that includes regularly. I’ve spoken to many individuals who submitted their apps as soon as after they launched after which by no means once more. Irrespective of whether or not your app has been featured earlier than or not, each time you do one thing vital to your app is one other alternative. It’s all the time price contemplating whether or not your newest replace would possibly tip the scales within the eyes of a reviewer.
After all, none of this makes it any simpler to steer the editorial group that they need to select your app. That job stays with you and stays as difficult because it all the time was! I really like the brand new modifications to App Retailer Join, although.
Dave Verwer 
