What app store promotional text does and its character limit
App Store promotional text is a dedicated 170-character field that appears at the very top of your product page description (check App Store Connect before submitting).
In App Store Connect, field limits include app name (30 characters), subtitle (30 characters), keyword field (100 characters), promotional text (170 characters), and main description (4,000 characters); check App Store Connect before submitting.
Official rules can be checked on Apple's product page documentation. The character limit is strictly 170 characters. Promotional text sits above the fold right before the description cutoff (check App Store Connect before submitting). When a prospective user lands on your page, this is the first block of prose they read.
Does promotional text help App Store search ranking?
For details on whether promotional text is indexed for search, check App Store Connect before submitting.
Character limits include the 30-character title, the 30-character subtitle, the 100-character keyword field, and the 170-character promotional text (check App Store Connect before submitting).
The role of promotional text can be conversion rate optimization, turning page visitors into downloads once they have arrived on your listing.
Four practical ways to use promotional text
Promotional text can be useful in four practical scenarios (check App Store Connect before submitting).
First, use it for time-limited pricing discounts and sales. If you run a discount on your paid app or launch a sale on in-app purchases, you can state the offer and end date directly. Promotional text lets you turn the announcement on and off whenever your discount starts and ends.
Second, display recent press coverage and awards. If your app gets featured on a major tech outlet or earns a spot in Apple editorial lists, drop a one-line quote or mention into the first sentence. Social proof reduces friction for skeptical users evaluating an unfamiliar indie product.
Third, communicate live server issues or maintenance notices. When a third-party API breaks or your server encounters downtime, negative App Store reviews accumulate quickly. Placing a short status note at the top of your listing informs new downloaders that an issue is acknowledged and actively being repaired.
Fourth, highlight fresh feature additions for visitors who might have seen earlier versions. Update release notes target existing users, while promotional text speaks to new shoppers. A clean note such as "Now updated with home screen widgets and dark mode support" shows active maintenance.
Step-by-step instructions to edit promotional text
Updating your promotional text can be done in App Store Connect (check App Store Connect before submitting):
1. Sign in to App Store Connect and open your app.
2. Select your currently live version.
3. Locate the promotional text field.
4. Type your copy, keeping it under the 170-character threshold.
5. Save your changes.
If your listing supports multiple locales, update the promotional text for each translated storefront individually (check App Store Connect before submitting).
Common mistakes and how to fix them
The most frequent mistake indie developers make is leaving expired event notices live for months. Seeing an outdated promo instantly signals an abandoned app. When you schedule an offer, create a calendar reminder to wipe the promo text or revert it to evergreen copy once it ends.
Another pitfall is filling the field with unreadable formatting. Packing all 170 characters with exclamation marks, unicode shapes, and capital letters looks untrustworthy. Keep your statement to one or two readable, declarative sentences.
Finally, avoid making unverifiable superiority claims or referencing unapproved mechanics (check App Store Connect before submitting).
How promotional text compares to other metadata
Understanding field limits helps prioritize metadata updates (check App Store Connect before submitting).
| Field | Max Length |
|---|---|
| App Name | 30 characters |
| Subtitle | 30 characters |
| Promotional Text | 170 characters |
| Keyword Field | 100 characters |
| Description | 4,000 characters |
For the latest requirements and search indexing behavior for each field, check App Store Connect before submitting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave promotional text blank?
Yes. The field is optional (check App Store Connect before submitting). If you have no news or promotions, leaving it blank is completely normal.
How long does it take for edits to appear in the App Store?
For details on propagation timing and requirements, check App Store Connect before submitting.
Can I add clickable links inside promotional text?
No. Plain text URLs will display as text strings, but iOS will not render them as clickable hyperlinks (check App Store Connect before submitting).
Open App Store Connect today, review your currently live version, and check whether your promotional text is either blank or showing an outdated announcement that needs clearing.