Paid & sponsorship

Apple Search Ads

Ads inside App Store search. Intent is high and you can start small.

Visit searchads.apple.com
Cost
Paid

Paid ads. Check current pricing.

Verdict
slow burn

Slow burn: App Store search ads with high intent. Start small.

Difficulty
Medium

Needs preparation, a review, or a steady habit before results.

Effort
Medium

About 5 to 10 hours a month.

First result
1 to 2 weeks

A rough range for one person working on it part-time.

Payoff
Steady

a trickle that lasts while you run it.

Best for

Mobile apps with store listings.

Not for

Non-mobile products.

Pros

  • High intent inside App Store search
  • Can start small

Cons

  • Paid
  • Only for iOS apps

The full guide

Last verified 2026-10-30

Links checked 2026-10-30 · All links answer

01What it is and who is there

Apple Search Ads places your app at the top of App Store search results for keywords you choose. People searching the App Store have high intent, so ads can bring installs from people already looking. You can start with a small budget.

02Cost and what you actually pay for

You pay per tap or per install depending on the campaign type, on a budget you set. Check current pricing and options.

03Is it right for you?

It fits iOS apps with a store listing that already converts. It fits poorly for non-mobile products. If your App Store page does not convert, fix it first.

04Before you start

  • An App Store listing with strong screenshots and ratings.
  • A list of keywords people search for.
  • A budget and a target cost per install.

05Step-by-step: how to distribute here

  1. Start with your brand name and closest category keywords.
  2. Set a small daily budget.
  3. Track installs and in-app conversions.
  4. Add keywords that convert; pause those that do not.
  5. Test custom product pages if you have them.

06What to post or submit

Keyword list:

[app name], [main job], [competitor category], [use case]

07Common mistakes and do-nots

  • Do not bid on keywords unrelated to your app.
  • Do not ignore post-install conversion.

08How to measure it

  • Track cost per install and cost per paying user.
  • A realistic test: two to four weeks.

09Time budget

  • Before: 2 hours.
  • Ongoing: 1 hour a week.

10Pair it with

11Sources

Sources