Obviously a quality app is the bare minimum but what else?<p>I'm curious to hear the stories of what tends to get on Apple's radar.<p>I've heard of a number of people unexpectedly getting featured but I'm also curious to hear any specific actions people have done that they think lead to them being featured.
The best way I have heard it described:<p>"If you make a splash in the pond, Apple will help make bigger waves for you"<p>You can't expect Apple to feature your app out of nowhere. Create your own word-of-mouth buzz, be featured somewhere and create your own community following.<p>Also, I've never been able to verify this and I believe there is an incentive system for Apple reviewers to submit 'Best app of the week' (e.g. editorial vetting)<p>Beautiful and intuitive apps always have a better chance. The Apple ADA winners set a very high bar.<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/design/awards/" rel="nofollow">https://developer.apple.com/design/awards/</a>
In 2010, Faber Novel did a study on marketing your app to get into the app store. So much of it seemed to revolve around timing of launch:<a href="http://www.slideshare.net/misteroo/how-to-market-your-app" rel="nofollow">http://www.slideshare.net/misteroo/how-to-market-your-app</a>.<p>I also summarized it in a quick article: <a href="http://readwrite.com/2010/02/17/iphone-appstore-ranking-algorithm#awesm=~oHLpVzT8X3zEjR" rel="nofollow">http://readwrite.com/2010/02/17/iphone-appstore-ranking-algo...</a><p>Newer answers welcome. Sorry, I haven't kept up with this as much as I should.
At a previous company we got featured by Apple as one of the 'Made for iOS 7' apps. We had been in contact with them previously. I think we met a few people at WWDC or they reached out to us, I can't remember. But basically they asked us to submit some artwork, and then one day we appeared on the list.<p>Most of the time, to get featured, you need to be doing something a little unique. We were one of the only healthcare apps using the new features of iOS 7. After that they ask for artwork and then you wait and pray. :)