Apple Testing Related Search Keyword Suggestions In App Store On iOS

Apple is apparently in the process of further improving the search feature of the App Store with the introduction of related search keyword suggestions on iOS. As first pointed out by Time Planner co-developer Olga Osadcha (via 9to5Mac), the related search keyword suggestions appear at the top of the search results in the App Store app on iOS. Tapping any of the suggestions leads to a new results page for that related search.

Just noticed "Related" search suggestions in App Store. Has it always been there? (iPhone only) pic.twitter.com/QDny04vNKs

— Olga Osadcha (@oosadcha) March 25, 2014

Here's a couple of other searches #ios #apple #news pic.twitter.com/uzx2hP2x80

— Olga Osadcha (@oosadcha) March 25, 2014

What's interesting is that if you tap on one of the suggestions it leads to other related suggestions, thus producing more and more keywords

— Olga Osadcha (@oosadcha) March 25, 2014

According to various reports, the new App Store feature has been rolled out by Apple to select users on iOS 7.0.x and iOS 7.1 only. While it appears to be still in its experimental phase, it's safe to assume that this feature will be made officially available in the near future. This new feature is just the latest step taken by Apple toward improving its App Store search mechanism. Last November, the company was reported to have improved results for misspelled queries with typos. Then, in December, it was found to have adjusted its App Store algorithms for more optimized searches. But perhaps what remains the biggest step thus far is Apple's acquisition of the algorithm-based app search engine Chomp, whose technology was integrated into the App Store app in 2012 with the release of iOS 6. At any rate, it's great to see that Apple continues to try new ways to enhance iOS device users' experience for app search and discovery. Have you been seeing related search keyword suggestions on your iOS device's App Store?

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