I spent over $10000 on search ads to end up behind a 2 star app (with my regularly updated 4 star app) that hadn't been updated in several years. I think the search is just a mess right now. Those other apps need to spend BIG on search ads to get above that app.

Does it appear now? Sometimes it can take a while to be indexed.

I have repeatedly contacted developer support but have not received a reply since the initial one which unfortunately didn't understand the issue. The issue is really simple. Type "Chess" in the Mac App Store and you are presented with IOS apps, not Mac apps, therefore bypassing mine and giving us almost zero visibility. My app engine just became the World Champion 2026 which is a huge deal, but why bother developing a Mac version?

I found an issue where the Apple search is working in a weird and not so wonderful way ... no reply ... but I assumed it was because they didn't like the question. Maybe they are just snowed under by vibe coders?

Update: I am still seeing a serious App Store search/discovery issue affecting my app. The main problem appears to be that Mac App Store search results are now showing iPad apps very prominently when users search for Mac chess apps. A user searching inside the Mac App Store would reasonably expect to see Mac apps prioritised. This change appears to have had a major impact on my app’s visibility, downloads, and revenue. This is not just a small ranking fluctuation. My app historically performed very well, but App Store discovery and revenue have fallen dramatically. I have App Store Connect screenshots, Search Ads evidence, search-result screenshots, and historic revenue/download data showing the change. Could someone from Apple please clarify: Has there been a recent change to how Mac App Store search ranks native Mac apps versus iPad apps? Is it expected behaviour for iPad apps to be shown above native Mac apps in Mac App Store search results? Is there any way for a developer to request a review of a search/discovery issue where the ranking appears inconsistent with user intent? Is there an official route for developers to submit evidence of serious search/discovery problems beyond ordinary App Store Connect support? I am a UK developer, and I am also considering submitting evidence to the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority in UK) because this appears relevant to the wider issue of App Store ranking transparency and fair treatment of developers. I would much prefer to resolve this directly with Apple if there is an appropriate support or escalation route. Any guidance from Apple or other developers would be appreciated.

Can this really be intentional?

Related post here: Mac Catalyst Discovery Issue

Same issue here.

I researched some more ... For specific high-volume queries such as “Chess”, Mac App Store search defaults to the iPhone/iPad result set rather than Mac Apps. This makes dedicated Mac/Catalyst apps invisible unless the user manually changes the selector.

But then it jumps to Mac apps for other keywords:

It appears to depend upon the keyword, which makes things even less intuitive. I contacted Apple support but no reply yet. Really need to know if this is now intentional behaviour.

Just to clarify, the issue I am reporting is that when a user searches in the Mac App Store, the default visible result set appears to show iPhone/iPad apps designed for Mac, while actual Mac apps are only shown after selecting the separate “Mac Apps” option. This is a different issue from normal ranking. A user searching inside the Mac App Store would reasonably expect Mac apps to be shown by default. If the search view defaults to “iPhone & iPad Apps”, then Mac apps are effectively hidden behind an extra selection step, regardless of their normal search ranking. Please can you confirm specifically: Is it expected behaviour for the Mac App Store search to default to “iPhone & iPad Apps” rather than “Mac Apps” for some searches? If yes, how is a developer with a dedicated Mac/Catalyst app expected to compete in Mac App Store search if their app is hidden behind the “Mac Apps” selector? Can Apple remove only the macOS/Catalyst platform from my app record while keeping the iPhone/iPad app live, so that the iPad version can appear as “Designed for iPad” on Mac instead?

"Chess"

I have the same issue.

Those obviously fake 5 star reviews can get you in to serious trouble with Apple. Be sure to report them vcia "report a fraud" in AppStoreConnect. What kind of institution downloads 50,000 apps? I would block "institutional" purchase if I could.