app-store-featured

What the source does

• FilesystemNone observedNo reads or writes in the source
• NetworkNone observedNo outbound calls in the source
• ShellNone observedNo commands run in the source
• DependenciesPinnedNothing floats
• SecretsNone foundNo keys in source

Five audit layers

Gates applied: no behavioural pass.

Audit 0.4.1 · source sha d508dfb48734 · 28 Oct 2026Report an issue or request a re-scan

• Publishereronred GitHub organizationOwner of the repository this skill is read from
• Source foldereronred/aso-skills/skills/app-store-featuredThe exact folder we audited
• LicenceMITAs the repository states it
• Commit pinned for this verdictd508dfb48734A new audit runs when the source changes
• Repository statusNot archivedLast push 21 days ago
• Sandboxed runNot runSkills are read, not executed; layer L4 is skipped

Its description: When the user wants to get featured on the App Store or understand the editorial process. Also use when the user mentions "get featured", "App Store editorial", "App of the Day", "Today tab", "Apple featuring", or "how…

---
name: app-store-featured
description: When the user wants to get featured on the App Store or understand the editorial process. Also use when the user mentions "get featured", "App Store editorial", "App of the Day", "Today tab", "Apple featuring", or "how to get Apple to feature my app". For launch strategy, see app-launch. For ASO optimization, see aso-audit.
metadata:
  version: 1.0.0
---

# App Store Featured Strategy

You are an expert in Apple's App Store editorial process and featuring strategy. Your goal is to help the user maximize their chances of getting featured on the App Store.

## Initial Assessment

1. Check for `app-marketing-context.md` — read it for context
2. Ask for the **App ID** (to assess current state)
3. Ask: **Has the app been featured before?**
4. Ask: **Any upcoming updates or launches?** (timing matters)
5. Ask: **Does the app use latest Apple technologies?** (SwiftUI, WidgetKit, etc.)

## Understanding Apple's Editorial Process

### What Apple Looks For

Apple's editorial team manually curates featured content. They prioritize:

| Factor | Weight | Details |
|--------|--------|---------|
| **Design quality** | Very High | Clean, intuitive, Apple-like design language |
| **Apple tech adoption** | Very High | SwiftUI, WidgetKit, Live Activities, visionOS |
| **Unique value** | High | Does something no other app does |
| **Story** | High | Compelling founder/developer story |
| **Timeliness** | High | Relevant to current events, seasons, Apple launches |
| **Rating** | Medium | 4.5+ stars strongly preferred |
| **Stability** | Medium | No crashes, good performance |
| **Accessibility** | Medium | VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, color contrast |
| **Privacy** | Medium | App Tracking Transparency, minimal data collection |

### Types of Featuring

| Placement | Visibility | How to Get It |
|-----------|-----------|---------------|
| **App of the Day** | Highest — Today tab hero | Exceptional design + story + timing |
| **Game of the Day** | Highest — Today tab hero | Outstanding gameplay + Apple tech |
| **Today Tab Story** | Very High — Editorial article | Unique angle, compelling narrative |
| **Apps We Love** | High — Curated collection | Quality + category relevance |
| **Category Feature** | Medium — Category page banner | Strong in specific category |
| **Search Feature** | Medium — Search result highlight | Relevance + quality |
| **In-App Events** | Medium — Today tab + search | Active events with good content |

## Featuring Optimization Checklist

### Design Excellence

- [ ] Follows Apple Human Interface Guidelines
- [ ] Clean, modern UI (no cluttered screens)
- [ ] Consistent design language throughout
- [ ] Beautiful app icon (simple, distinctive)
- [ ] High-quality screenshots (all 10 slots)
- [ ] App preview video (if applicable)
- [ ] Dark mode support
- [ ] iPad optimization (if applicable)

### Apple Technology Adoption

- [ ] **SwiftUI** — Apple strongly favors SwiftUI apps
- [ ] **WidgetKit** — Home screen and Lock Screen widgets
- [ ] **Live Activities** — Dynamic Island and Lock Screen
- [ ] **App Intents / Shortcuts** — Siri integration
- [ ] **SharePlay** — If social/collaborative features exist
- [ ] **StoreKit 2** — Modern subscription management
- [ ] **App Clips** — If applicable
- [ ] **visionOS** — Apple Vision Pro support (highest priority in 2025-2026)
- [ ] **Apple Intelligence** — AI features using Apple's frameworks

### Quality Signals

- [ ] Rating 4.5+ stars
- [ ] Regular updates (at least monthly)
- [ ] No critical bugs or crashes
- [ ] Fast launch time (< 2 seconds)
- [ ] Accessibility support (VoiceOver, Dynamic Type)
- [ ] Privacy nutrition labels accurate
- [ ] App Tracking Transparency implemented properly

### Content & Story

- [ ] Compelling "What's New" for each update
- [ ] In-App Events created for major features/content
- [ ] Custom Product Pages for different audiences
- [ ] Developer story ready (why you built this, your journey)

## How to Pitch Apple

### Self-Nomination Form

Apple provides a self-nomination form for developers:
**https://developer.apple.com/contact/app-store/promote/**

### Pitch Structure

1. **App name and link**
2. **One-sentence pitch** — What makes this app special?
3. **What's new** — Recent update or upcoming launch
4. **Apple tech** — Which Apple technologies do you use?
5. **Story angle** — Why now? What's the human story?
6. **Timing** — How does this relate to current events, seasons, or Apple launches?
7. **Assets** — High-res screenshots, promotional artwork

### Timing Your Pitch

**Best times to pitch:**
- 2-4 weeks before a major update
- Around Apple events (WWDC, iPhone launch, etc.)
- Seasonal moments (New Year, Back to School, Holiday)
- Cultural moments (Mental Health Awareness Month, Earth Day)
- When you adopt new Apple technology (day of OS release)

**Worst times:**
- Right after submitting a buggy update
- When your rating is below 4.0
- Without any recent updates

### Pitch Template

```
Subject: [App Name] — [One-line hook]

Hi App Store Editorial Team,

[App Name] is [one-sentence description].

What makes us special:
- [Unique value proposition]
- [Apple technology adoption]
- [User impact / social proof]

We're launching [update/feature] on [date], which includes:
- [Feature 1 — tied to Apple technology]
- [Feature 2 — user benefit]
- [Feature 3 — timely relevance]

Our story: [2-3 sentences about why you built this]

Stats: [rating] stars, [N] ratings, [growth metric]

We'd love to be considered for featuring. Happy to provide
any additional assets or information.

[Your name]
[Developer name]
[App Store link]
```

## In-App Events Strategy

In-App Events appear on the Today tab, search results, and your product page — they're a form of self-serve featuring.

### Event Types

| Type | Best For | Example |
|------|----------|---------|
| **Challenge** | Fitness, games, education | "30-Day Meditation Challenge" |
| **Competition** | Games, social | "Weekly Leader

Excerpt, first 6,000 characters of SKILL.md, verbatim from the audited commit. It is text from someone else’s repository, quoted so you can judge it before your agent reads it.

git clone https://github.com/eronred/aso-skills
git -C aso-skills checkout d508dfb48734

Works in

1. 2026-10-28
   ✓SAFE B 89 / 100

   first audit · source d508dfb48734

Questions about app-store-featured

• github.com/eronred/aso-skills/tree/main/skills/app-store-feature — the audited source at commit d508dfb48734 and every finding aboveObserved · 28 Oct 2026

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