After months of hard work developing an app with unique mechanics and a distinct user experience, we recently faced a rejection under Guideline 4.3(b) (Spam/Saturated Category). The feedback we received stated that there are "already enough of these apps on the App Store." While we completely understand Apple's need to filter out low-quality clones, it feels like this guideline sometimes overlooks genuine originality. The most frustrating part for independent developers is that the category you fall into seems to matter more than the actual value your app provides. Whether the app is positioned in lifestyle, entertainment, or productivity, a rigid "category quota" can prevent reviewers from truly seeing the unique features we built. This creates a significant hurdle for new entrants and makes it incredibly difficult for fresh ideas to break into established categories. It feels less about the quality of the application and more about timing—as if early arrivers have a permanent advantage over newcomers, regardless of how much innovation the new app brings to the table. Ultimately, we believe this limits consumer choice. Users deserve the opportunity to discover and decide between new, modern alternatives, rather than having their options restricted by a pre-determined saturation limit. We hope Apple reconsiders how 4.3(b) is applied, ensuring that the App Store remains a place where truly innovative apps, regardless of their category, have a fair chance to be evaluated on their own merits.

Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice or shared experiences regarding a prolonged App Review Board appeal process. I submitted my app earlier this month. On March 3rd, it was rejected under guideline 4.3(b) Spam. On the exact same day (March 3rd), I submitted a detailed appeal to the App Review Board. In my appeal, I provided clear documentation and explanations to prove that the app is not a generic template. I specifically highlighted our proprietary algorithm that calculates a unique total daily energy percentage for users, which distinctly separates it from standard, saturated apps in the market. The issue: It has now been 23 days since I submitted the appeal, and I have not received any response from the Board. My main concern is the lack of visibility. Since appeals to the Board do not appear in the Resolution Center UI, I have no way of knowing if my ticket is actually actively open, in a queue, or if it has been lost due to a system glitch. I recently tried reaching out to general support to verify the ticket's status, but I only received an automated generic response stating that if I have already appealed, I should just wait. My questions for the community: Has anyone else experienced wait times exceeding 3 weeks for a 4.3(b) appeal recently? Is there any workaround to simply verify that an internal appeal ticket is genuinely open and hasn't fallen through the cracks? Any insights or advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hello, I have a few questions regarding App Store featuring nominations. -When do applicants receive a response to their nominations? -How is this response provided? Is it via the App Store Connect app page, email, or the nominations section? -For an already published app, can an application for App Launch Nomination submitted 1-2 days after publication be accepted? It says applications must be submitted 3-4 weeks before publication. Thank you for help.