Apple cares about your app if it displays unique features of their platform. So build a new Apple Watch app, use extremely nice design, integrate with HomeKit. Otherwise, they don't care
A Developer’s Guide to the Wild West of App Discovery
41–47 of 47 posts
Re: A Developer’s Guide to the Wild West of App Discovery
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't know about Google, but I can't believe how Apple, the “ design is how it works ” shop can leave such a gaping hole in a place where it conspicuously matters. Every casual AppStore visitor immediately realises that they have no chance in hell of finding anything. First Apple boasts how many million apps they have on the store, then they make 99%+ of it unreachable. Bummer.
I also find it extremely misleading when the stores quote statistics such as "over 93 percent of all ios apps have been downloaded every month" as proof that people are finding the apps they want. What they don't disclose is that the majority of these downloads are probably just 1 time downloads by the app creator on their own device. http://www.padgadget.com/2013/06/10/50-billion-apps-download...
There is a saying that springs to mind, “Never trust a statistic you didn't fake yourself”.
Re: A Developer’s Guide to the Wild West of App Discovery
#43Re: A Developer’s Guide to the Wild West of App Discovery
#44I'm wondering if there is any marketing/sales strategy crossover from other domains which also have limited product placement opportunities - like supermarkets?
In supermarkets, I understand it's common to pay initially to get the shelf space so you can demonstrate your product will have traction.
Re: A Developer’s Guide to the Wild West of App Discovery
#45Earlier quoted context omitted.
What has moved the needle for you? We had a dev relations contact and got featured worldwide with Hexiled, then a smaller feature later when we added more language support. I argue with my dev partner about press - I think the best tactic is more decent apps in the store trying to get a home-run feature by honing the app style, rather than begging little app reviewers for coverage. I think if your feature gives your…
Out of curiosity, if you're willing to share, how did you get in touch with a dev relations person at Apple for (what looks like) your first game? I'm going to release my first big app soon (music creation) and having someone at Apple know about my product would be so helpful! I agree with your thoughts on tactics, BTW, which is why I'm working hard on polishing the UX.
Co-developer has built apps in the past and met a dev relations guy at a conference or WWDC or something. We give them heads up on product releases or major updates and they forward it to editorial teams (local or worldwide) for consideration.
Re: A Developer’s Guide to the Wild West of App Discovery
#46We had good success at my last job at a big brand travel company, because our Apple rep really liked us. But me as an individual has no chance. I don't think Apple really cares about you as a developer as long as there are enough to make iPhone sales happen. It's sad though, I wish I could build an app discovery app which would be a lot of fun to do, but it's stupidly verboten.
How did you get your Apple rep? I have never quite found out how to "apply" to get one, or if it's all self-selected from within Apple...
Our mobile travel app (before my time) was one of the first to ship on iOS, right around the launch of the app store. So they naturally appreciated it. If everyone knows your brand name, it's surprisingly easy to get people to do stuff for you.
Re: A Developer’s Guide to the Wild West of App Discovery
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
Out of curiosity, if you're willing to share, how did you get in touch with a dev relations person at Apple for (what looks like) your first game? I'm going to release my first big app soon (music creation) and having someone at Apple know about my product would be so helpful! I agree with your thoughts on tactics, BTW, which is why I'm working hard on polishing the UX.
Co-developer has built apps in the past and met a dev relations guy at a conference or WWDC or something. We give them heads up on product releases or major updates and they forward it to editorial teams (local or worldwide) for consideration.
Thanks!