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So, I find this out, I go directly to the App Store on my phone, and I do a search for "Google Maps". First five results:"Google Earth", "My Places for Google

So, I find this out, I go directly to the App Store on my phone, and I do a search for "Google Maps". First five results:"Google Earth", "My Places for Google Maps", "My Maps Editor", "Road Tripper", and then finally "Google Maps" Seriously, how difficult is it to bump an exact string match to the top of the list? Seems to me that iOS is just getting worse and worse.

jmonegro 14y ago
This happens with every new app release, it takes a while for it to show up in the search results.
- mrcharles 14y ago
  But it was in the search results. This isn't a case of "not there yet."
stevebenjamins 14y ago
You could make the same complaint about Google SERPS: "Why does it take so long for my exact match domain to show for it's target keyword?" My point is there are things other than "exact string match" to take in account for ...
Tyrannosaurs 14y ago
Ranking based on a number of factors, not just a string match is generally a good idea. When someone searches on the term "maps" do you want the "best" (highest rated, most popular, whatever) app to be the top hit (give it a week and that'll likely be Google Maps), or the one from the person who had done a bit of SEO and thought to call his app "maps" to hit the exact string match? I contest that what's happening is actually a good thing and what you propose would be a field day for those who look to game the system.
- mrcharles 14y ago
  Does that hold true when the exact string match is already #1 on the Free Apps list? Because to me, if it's an exact string match, AND it's wildly popular...
  - Tyrannosaurs 14y ago
    The shorter the period of time you use to measure popularity, the more volatile the order will be. I think it's clear that this is a transient issue, that the apps popularity will kick in shortly so I'm not sure it's a big deal regardless. UK App Store at least it's up to fourth now so it's moving.
    - mrcharles 14y ago
      Okay, how about, it's an exact string match, it's wildly popular, and it's from a well known and long time developer whose apps have always been wildly popular? Is that enough yet, to make search not suck? PS, Google Maps is now the third search result instead of the fifth. After how many days should search not suck?
      - Tyrannosaurs 14y ago
        Given that that app is going to be there for years, how about what percentage of the time? At the moment it's likely that it will be a small fraction of 1%. And search doesn't suck - it's still easy to find, you just need to look a little bit more. Given that it's the number one free download discovery really doesn't seem to be an issue here.

jmonegro 14y ago

This happens with every new app release, it takes a while for it to show up in the search results.

mrcharles 14y ago
But it was in the search results. This isn't a case of "not there yet."

stevebenjamins 14y ago

You could make the same complaint about Google SERPS: "Why does it take so long for my exact match domain to show for it's target keyword?" My point is there are things other than "exact string match" to take in account for ...

Tyrannosaurs 14y ago

Ranking based on a number of factors, not just a string match is generally a good idea. When someone searches on the term "maps" do you want the "best" (highest rated, most popular, whatever) app to be the top hit (give it a week and that'll likely be Google Maps), or the one from the person who had done a bit of SEO and thought to call his app "maps" to hit the exact string match? I contest that what's happening is actually a good thing and what you propose would be a field day for those who look to game the system.

mrcharles 14y ago
Does that hold true when the exact string match is already #1 on the Free Apps list? Because to me, if it's an exact string match, AND it's wildly popular...
- Tyrannosaurs 14y ago
  The shorter the period of time you use to measure popularity, the more volatile the order will be. I think it's clear that this is a transient issue, that the apps popularity will kick in shortly so I'm not sure it's a big deal regardless. UK App Store at least it's up to fourth now so it's moving.
  - mrcharles 14y ago
    Okay, how about, it's an exact string match, it's wildly popular, and it's from a well known and long time developer whose apps have always been wildly popular? Is that enough yet, to make search not suck? PS, Google Maps is now the third search result instead of the fifth. After how many days should search not suck?
    - Tyrannosaurs 14y ago
      Given that that app is going to be there for years, how about what percentage of the time? At the moment it's likely that it will be a small fraction of 1%. And search doesn't suck - it's still easy to find, you just need to look a little bit more. Given that it's the number one free download discovery really doesn't seem to be an issue here.