Changes in iTunes Connect - Introduction of Keywords and No Name Changes Allowed

manofham · 07-29-2009, 05:09 AM

Just noticed a couple of changes in iTunes Connect:

1. Introduction of keywords limited to 100 characters

2. App name can no longer be changed

Everyone else has the same?

crabFish · 07-29-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manofham

Just noticed a couple of changes in iTunes Connect:

1. Introduction of keywords limited to 100 characters

2. App name can no longer be changed

Everyone else has the same?

And once you've entered the keywords they can not be edited again like the appname - I guess these things will only be editable for an update then...? Some people have abused the name-change thing and putting keywords in description like crazy so I guess this is a way to put a stop to that...

One would only assume that search now is limited to the app name and keywords and will ignore the app description?

ogmios · 07-29-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabFish

And once you've entered the keywords they can not be edited again like the appname - I guess these things will only be editable for an update then...? Some people have abused the name-change thing and putting keywords in description like crazy so I guess this is a way to put a stop to that...

One would only assume that search now is limited to the app name and keywords and will ignore the app description?

Yup, just saw that this morning. Keywords are less than 100 characters and also title cannot be changed anymore. I think that the description will still play a part, but ranking will be higher most likely if your keywords match... at least, that is what I hope!

dudeyone · 07-29-2009, 10:24 AM

So, how to enter keywords? Seperated by comma?

LearningTouch · 07-29-2009, 10:26 AM

Does anyone know if it's possible to enter keywords that contain spaces?

If so, would I say

Book, Bookshelf, Book Shelf, Library

or

Book, Bookshelf, "Book Shelf", Library

??

LearningTouch · 07-29-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudeyone

So, how to enter keywords? Seperated by comma?

Yes, comma separated.

kiancheong · 07-29-2009, 10:33 AM

I guess when they say separated by commas, any non-single-word keywords can be entered as is...

Book Shelf, Library, Bookshelf

dudeyone · 07-29-2009, 10:37 AM

The thing is, should I put keywords of words that are already in my app description?

lws · 07-29-2009, 10:42 AM

Since they limited the editing of those keywords to once per update, I suppose they won't weigh the app description that much anymore when searching. It has been misused too often.
So, you better think of some descriptive keywords and put them all in there.

ztaksoftware · 07-29-2009, 10:48 AM

Something interesting... When I click the question mark beside the keywords field the help bubble for "What's New In This Version" comes up. Looks like Apple has a bug in their page.

lws · 07-29-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztaksoftware

Something interesting... When I click the question mark beside the keywords field the help bubble for "What's New In This Version" comes up. Looks like Apple has a bug in their page.

Not here, it works just fine. Here is what it says:

crabFish · 07-29-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ztaksoftware

Something interesting... When I click the question mark beside the keywords field the help bubble for "What's New In This Version" comes up. Looks like Apple has a bug in their page.

Same thing happened to me... Didn't get the info for keywords...

Danieljohn · 07-29-2009, 11:46 AM

By "a long shot chance", has there been any type of release as to what keywords people are searching for in the app store?

Probably not, but thought i'd give it a chance.

lws · 07-29-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danieljohn

By "a long shot chance", has there been any type of release as to what keywords people are searching for in the app store?

Probably not, but thought i'd give it a chance.

None that I'm aware of, sorry. I wonder how one would aquire that kind of knowledge. I guess only Apple themselves would know. I just hope they know what they are doing now. Its about time!

kordos · 07-29-2009, 12:58 PM

I added keywords to my two apps today, and now _neither_ of them are appearing in search results for those keywords.

These are keywords that also match the description - and previously "found" my app.

Is anyone else having a similar issue?

Danieljohn · 07-29-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kordos

I added keywords to my two apps today, and now _neither_ of them are appearing in search results for those keywords.

These are keywords that also match the description - and previously "found" my app.

Is anyone else having a similar issue?

Did it show up in the description section of your app? My guess is that it's not "taken effect" yet.

lws · 07-29-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kordos

I added keywords to my two apps today, and now _neither_ of them are appearing in search results for those keywords.

These are keywords that also match the description - and previously "found" my app.

Is anyone else having a similar issue?

I'd suggest waiting a little more.

I just checked my App and it still shows up like normal by checking for my default keywords. Note that you have to add keywords to each localization separately in itunesconncect.

kordos · 07-29-2009, 01:08 PM

The keywords are not yet appearing on the app store page.

I'll be patient - thanks for the replies.

**MarkC** · 07-29-2009, 01:09 PM

Yes, a LONG overdue feature. It'll hopefully weed out a little of the crap that's out there. It's good that it's only 100 characters as well, which really isn't a lot, but it might make people actually think about what they're writing, rather than these devs who fill the 700 words with names of other apps!

crabFish · 07-29-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkC

Yes, a LONG overdue feature. It'll hopefully weed out a little of the crap that's out there. It's good that it's only 100 characters as well, which really isn't a lot, but it might make people actually think about what they're writing, rather than these devs who fill the 700 words with names of other apps!

I second that...

dudeyone · 07-29-2009, 01:20 PM

Should I leave spaces after my comma? I want to save space to add in more keywords.

ogmios · 07-29-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kordos

I added keywords to my two apps today, and now _neither_ of them are appearing in search results for those keywords.

These are keywords that also match the description - and previously "found" my app.

Is anyone else having a similar issue?

WARNING TO ALL:
Once you have updated with keywords, whatever you used in your old description will not show up anymore. This means something actually really bad: If your competition did not update their keywords and you did, they will still return a result for keywords in their description, but you will not. It really creates a huge unfair advantage and will allow anyone that is "spamming" their description to actually pass you! If you updated today, be prepared to hurt.

I would suggest for all of us to email itunes connect and "complain" about this, hopefully enough reports of it will prompt Apple to correct the issue and make things fair for ALL.

Irishdawg90 · 07-29-2009, 04:10 PM

For the love of God. I just put in like 110 characters, and hit save. It says "Cannot exceed 100 characters" in red at the top, but I can't change them!

This app is in review too. Probably will be there forever now...

Gwl · 07-29-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishdawg90

For the love of God. I just put in like 110 characters, and hit save. It says "Cannot exceed 100 characters" in red at the top, but I can't change them!

Same happened to me. However when you go to main page and then back, it should be blank and editable again.

ztaksoftware · 07-29-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogmios

WARNING TO ALL:
Once you have updated with keywords, whatever you used in your old description will not show up anymore. This means something actually really bad: If your competition did not update their keywords and you did, they will still return a result for keywords in their description, but you will not. It really creates a huge unfair advantage and will allow anyone that is "spamming" their description to actually pass you! If you updated today, be prepared to hurt.

I would suggest for all of us to email itunes connect and "complain" about this, hopefully enough reports of it will prompt Apple to correct the issue and make things fair for ALL.

I updated my keywords today and I am actually appearing higher up in the search and with really general words. Maybe my app description to begin with just plain sucked and was totally lacking keywords.