Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Apple Expands App Store Search Ads in 2026
Apple is planning to change how ads appear in the App Store search results.
Starting in 2026, there will be more ads shown on the search results page, not just at the top.
This means users might see ads in different places as they scroll through the results.
Apple says this will help developers reach more users without changing how the ads look.
Advertisers won't be able to choose where their ads appear, but they will still pay the same way they do now.
Apple thinks this will make it easier for people to find and download apps they like.
Apple plans to introduce multiple ad placements in App Store search results starting in 2026.
Currently, only one sponsored listing appears at the top of search results.
New ad placements will be spread throughout the search results page.
Advertisers will not have control over the specific positions of their ads.
The billing model for ads will remain unchanged, with payment based on cost-per-tap or cost-per-install.
- Who
- Apple
- What
- Expanding App Store search ads to include multiple placements
- When
- Starting in 2026
- Where
- App Store search results
- Why
- To offer developers and advertisers greater visibility and to balance monetization with usability
- Current Ad Placement
- Single sponsored listing at the top of search results
- New Ad Placement
- Multiple ad placements throughout search results
- Advertiser Control
- No control over specific ad positions
- Billing Model
- Cost-per-tap or cost-per-install basis
- App Store Weekly Visitors
- Over 800 million
- Percentage of Users Downloading Apps
- Over 85%
- Conversion Rate of Top Ads
- Around 60%
- Percentage of Downloads After Search
- Nearly 65%