Apple’s initiative to enhance App Store discoverability through AI-generated tagging is now live in the developer beta version of iOS 26. However, these tags are not yet visible on the public App Store and are not influencing the search algorithm there.
As with any App Store update, speculation arises regarding how these changes will affect app search rankings. A recent analysis by app intelligence provider Appfigures suggests that metadata from an app’s screenshots is playing a role in its ranking. The firm theorized that Apple is extracting text from screenshot captions, whereas previously only the app’s name, subtitle, and keyword list were considered for search rankings.
This conclusion aligns with Apple’s announcement at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 25), emphasizing that screenshots and other metadata would enhance app discoverability. Apple clarified that AI techniques, rather than OCR methods, are used to extract this information, allowing for better categorization of apps without requiring developers to add keywords to their screenshots.
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Apple stated that developers would have the ability to choose which AI-generated tags are associated with their apps. Additionally, the company assured developers that human reviewers would assess these tags before they go live.
As the tags become available to global App Store users, it will be crucial for developers to understand which tags can improve their app’s visibility.
SOURCE: TECH CRUNCH
