Apple Reminds iPhone Devs to Use Keywords

Via its iPhone Dev Center section dedicated to News and Announcements for iPhone Developers, Apple has issued a reminder regarding the use of keywords when submitting an app. According to the Mac maker, Apps that do not have keywords assigned to them are only searchable by title, making it more difficult for the app to reach a wider audience and create discoverability.

“Reminder: Use Keywords to Increase the Visibility of Your Apps,” reads Apple’s latest update on the News and Announcements section of the iPhone Dev Center. “Keywords are an essential part of promoting your apps on the App Store,” the company behind the Mac operating system explains. “Apps that do not have keywords assigned to them are only searchable by app title. By adding or editing related keywords the next time you submit a new binary you can reach a wider audience and create greater discoverability of your app,” Apple reveals.

In the report, the Cupertino, California-based company also includes a link to the “App Store Quick Reference: Assigning Keywords For Your App.” The PDF document assists devs in learning more about using keywords. After downloading and opening the file, devs are informed about a few key aspects surrounding application searches, how customers use the App Store to find the content they need, as well as how the search system behaves.

“Customers who use search to find applications on the App Store will see results based on your designated keywords,” Apple stresses in the respective documentation file. “This replaces the former search functionality which used words found in your application’s description,” the company informs. “Once you have entered keywords, your application will only be searchable on the App Store by your designated keywords, your company name, and your application name,” Apple adds.

Developers are also told that application descriptions are now posted strictly for marketing purposes. Therefore, the text body can be used to describe the functionality and details of the application.

“We encourage you to submit keywords for all applications as soon as possible so that they will continue to be successfully located on the App Store,” Apple concludes.