How do I submit an app to multiple categories?

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Level 1

10 points

How do I submit an app to multiple categories?

Hi Everyone,

I have an app that should be in both education and reference categories. Can someone please explain how to get it into more than one category? It is already accepted into the education category. How do I submit for the reference category without it getting dropped from the education one?

Thanks in advance for your help.

iPhone and iPod touch

Posted on Jun 17, 2009 2:31 AM

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Answer 1

RayNewbie

Level 5

6,810 points

Jun 17, 2009 3:10 AM in response to falcon5280

Go to ITC->Manage Your Applications->Edit Information->Overview. Scroll down below the Application Description and past the Device field. You should now see Primary Category and Secondary Category. You can change either or both. Changes under Edit Information usually go right through so you should see the new info reflected in the store in a few minutes (though I think a new category may need to wait for the next time the apps are sorted--not sure about that).

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Answer 2

falcon5280 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2009 1:21 PM in response to RayNewbie

Thanks. I do have one follow-up question. Does changing the primary category, then delete the app from the category it is already in? My objective is to have the app show up in two categories, not just change from one category to another.

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Answer 3

K T

Level 7

23,895 points

Jun 17, 2009 1:42 PM in response to falcon5280

falcon5280 wrote:
Thanks. I do have one follow-up question. Does changing the primary category, then delete the app from the category it is already in?

In my experience, yes. I've tried it and it hasn't worked. Pick one.

There are two category choices, but I've yet to see an app appear in more than one at a time. Apple says the 2nd. category is a backup...perhaps in case they disagree with your 1st. choice and want to suggest you abandon it.

What's really going on isn't difficult to imagine, given that the key to success in the app store is visibility.

You want two categories to double your visibility, right? Your competition wants three to out-visibility you...you counter with four and the next thing you know, categories have no meaning and the entire store is one big (otherwise flat) list. Then competition breaks out to float and stay at the top of that list. Is it by date, name, size...what?

One category (if they gave more, someone would always protest for more and more) forces devs to make a choice and gives users a fighting chance to make sense of the snowstorm of apps coming at them.

As for achieving visibility, there are other ways. Seeking that goal thru multiple categories, however, simply isn't one of them, sorry.

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Answer 4

falcon5280 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2009 1:43 PM in response to K T

Thanks, that is what I thought about changing the primary category.

However, several apps are in two categories. The IQ test or Moron test is in both Education and Entertainment, and one about Congress is in both education and reference. I have seen others, so it can be done.

I am thinking now that the apps are "re-zipped" in xcode and resubmitted with the same name and basic metatdata, but with a different bundle identifier, different SKU number, and, of course, a new primary category selected. That would change the App ID for Apple and therefore allow the same app to be reviewed and placed in the new category.

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Answer 5

K T

Level 7

23,895 points

Jun 17, 2009 1:55 PM in response to falcon5280

That would change the App ID for Apple and therefore allow the same app to be reviewed and placed in the new category.

One app in two places is two apps...

How you game the system...errr, I mean...bifurcate one app is (somewhat) up to you.

Just remember that thinking out loud in a public forum alerts your competition and risks negating your goal 🙂

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Answer 6

falcon5280 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2009 1:57 PM in response to K T

In general, I agree completely about your potential for abuse re multiple categories.

But some products do fit more than one and a choice is not always clear because one cannot know exactly where your biggest potential purchasers are searching. Of course, you can guess. Some books in book section are also really references as well. In my app's case, education and reference are both applicable, yet I have no idea where my largest set of users really are until I try each one.

Choosing a category in advance is fine, but only real world data about purchasing habits of actual users will let you know where to best place your app. And to get that data I know no other way than to try and then study the results.

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Answer 7

falcon5280 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2009 2:12 PM in response to falcon5280

I cannot worry about the competition. With 50,000+ apps, I do believe that "rigging" visibility is a thing of the past. True visibility really comes now only in the top 20, 25, 50, and 100 lists - and the app has to be already selling to get there.

The real goals now are learning where people are searching and how they are searching. In fact, I like competition, it allows for comparison and smarter purchases. Nothing worse than being stuck purchasing one product because there are no choices. My goal is to find where my users are. If I am worrying about the competition, then my eye is off the ball ref my app and its users. But I do believe your former point about potential abuse is an extremely valid one.

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Answer 8

K T

Level 7

23,895 points

Jun 17, 2009 2:17 PM in response to falcon5280

You seem to be making a case for sensibility, when the app store is as prone to marketing 'abuse' as any other online outlet. A 'sensible' market doesn't stand a chance against energetic sellers who are allowed to yell as loud as they can in any attempt to stand out from the crowd when monetization is the driver.

Examples of gaming include devs who flood their app descriptions with otherwise unrelated keywords just to bring visibility to their work when users search for well known apps with unrelated popularity...just to get some light on their product(s). Rumor has it that Apple has recently taken steps against this.

Irrelevant cross-categorization may be next on their list and who gets to define what is relevant...not us.

And as far as comparing the app store to a book store...the app store is unique. Comparing it to anything that came before isn't my idea of accuracy. The best bet is to open oneself to a new concept that brings new considerations, new decisions and new opportunities.

If that means you have to re-invent yourself in the process...fantastic. Go for it.

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Answer 9

falcon5280 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2009 2:29 PM in response to K T

Maybe I should have been clearer - I was not comparing the app store to a book store - I was comparing books in the book app category (3rd largest category) to the reference app cateory.

KY said: "Irrelevant cross-categorization may be next on their list and who gets to define what is relevant...not us." I would say that it won't be diffcult - like pornagraphy, you know it when you see it.

And Apple does have a right to fight abuse, if people abuse the app store. It is their store. When last did you go in to a brick and mortar store and tell them where you want a product placed? Try it and see the response you get. Developers should not confuse themselves as distributors. In all other businesses, distributors decide where to place products, not the creator of the product. Why developers think it should any different here is beyond me.

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Answer 10

K T

Level 7

23,895 points

Jun 17, 2009 2:37 PM in response to falcon5280

Yep, you're right. Good luck w/that.

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