Developers can now nominate apps for App Store promotions

Apple runs an entire editorial division for the App Store that writes in-depth stories and roundups, and now developers can nominate their apps and updates instead of waiting for seemingly random selection.

The App Store Editorial team is who is behind all of the content in the Today tab in the App Store app. It is part of what made the App Store a destination for users rather than an essential utility, not to mention an ad revenue source.

During WWDC 2024, Apple revealed the new Featuring Nominations option along with updates to TestFlight. It was shared as part of the "What's new in App Store Connect" session.

A developer can alert Apple of three types of updates for consideration of an editorial feature — new content, app enhancements, or app launches. Previously, the App Store Editorial team would alert the developer of a potential editorial feature after an unknown selection criteria.

Developers can submit a Featuring Nomination via App Store Connect. App Store Connect will notify the developer via a push notification if an app is chosen for an editorial feature.

Apple is also making TestFlight a more useful tool with a redesign that includes build screenshots. Developers can also provide specific restrictions to a TestFlight for specific hardware or OS versions.

Everything announced during WWDC 2024 will be available for public use in the fall. During the event, Apple announced updates included in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, visionOS 2, and macOS Sequoia, along with Apple Intelligence.