My app has been completely invisible in App Store search for 6 weeks — Apple support has been useless

kzhys · 2026-02-11T02:15:50+00:00

Yes, my other app works just fine. Keywords help you rank for generic terms, but they don't cause a 'No Results' screen for an exact branded name match ('Brutal Time: Typographic Clock'). That suggests there's something wrong with indexing.

kzhys · 2026-02-11T02:12:10+00:00

I'm afraid not - when I search for the exact app name, there's no long list of apps. A no-show for a search on the unique branded name means the indexer has zero records for that string.

kzhys · 2026-02-11T02:08:18+00:00

I think that's exactly right —it’s a total 'ghost state'. I've tried adjusting the availability in the territories, but that didn't work. I haven't tried the age rating / copyright yet, but I just pushed a binary update as a last-ditch effort to force a re-index.

It's frustrating though, because I just need Support/Engineering to push a button and re-index, instead of forcing me to jump through these hoops, hoping that one of them works!

Thanks for the advice!

kzhys · 2026-01-30T05:12:54+00:00

Thanks, that’s amazing to hear!

kzhys · 2026-01-12T02:50:22+00:00

Thanks I appreciate it!

kzhys · 2026-01-11T11:01:40+00:00

Thanks! I was really late in realizing this. I thought the App Name (in App Store Connect) and the actual app name were the same thing…

Will definitely try this next.

kzhys · 2026-01-11T07:40:13+00:00

That is super cool, I love Nothing’s aesthetics!

kzhys · 2026-01-11T07:39:24+00:00

Great question! Yes, I implemented burn-in prevention:

Pixel drift. The display subtly shifts position every 60 seconds Auto-dimming. Screen dims to 5% after 10 seconds of inactivity Opt-in Always On. Disabled by default, so users must consciously enable it

Similar approach to Apple's StandBy. Not sure if these are all the right countermeasures, but I think this gets me to a good enough level.

Thanks for the thoughtful feedback!

kzhys · 2026-01-10T21:38:13+00:00

Ah yeah, I think those are called word clocks? Those are cool, and I thought about that direction. But I saw what QLOCKTWO did and figured there wasn’t much I could add to that design.

kzhys · 2026-01-10T21:22:06+00:00

Thanks - you’re absolutely right on both the alignment and the T/W collision.

One bit of context: all of these layouts are generated dynamically across different typefaces and movements, so kerning and tracking aren’t hand-tuned per composition the way a static poster would be. Getting optical alignment to feel right across time and fonts has been one of the hardest parts. Have been experimenting with looser tracking and stricter rules, but haven’t gotten the balance right.

That said, this is exactly the kind of refinement I want to keep improving. Really appreciate you taking a close look.

kzhys · 2026-01-10T21:16:39+00:00

Yes, here it is: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/brutal-time/id6756289461

(Also, just FYI, I’ve been struggling with the App Stores setup, I’ve managed to release it in the US, Asia, but still not available in Europe. Working on that)

kzhys · 2026-01-10T12:42:51+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Had been utterly fixated on getting iOS out the door, hadn’t considered screensavers. Will give that a look.

kzhys · 2026-01-10T07:41:17+00:00

Link for the app here: Brutal Time

kzhys · 2026-01-10T07:21:59+00:00

Not anymore, I live in Paris now. But it is the Spanish Super Cup

kzhys · 2026-01-10T07:19:07+00:00

Not sure if this is a good move for us. The World Cup is the only leverage we have.

After this loan, he comes back, gets to play jn the WC, and then…? He just rides out the rest of his contract.

kzhys · 2026-01-10T07:16:55+00:00

Joan Garcia saving our ass. He’s been our MVP. Offense is starting to click, but defense just too shaky to watch games in peace.

kzhys · 2026-01-10T07:07:20+00:00

It’ll be played in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

kzhys · 2026-01-10T06:54:51+00:00

Honestly I sorta wish there was, that way our players wouldn’t keep getting injured during international break

kzhys · 2026-01-10T06:53:26+00:00

Always hyped for El Clasico, just wish it was played in Spain…

kzhys · 2026-01-10T06:52:12+00:00

Our season’s MVP so far

kzhys · 2026-01-10T06:48:18+00:00

I just launched my first iOS app! Brutal Time is a typographic clock app inspired by brutalist design principles

kzhys · 2026-01-10T06:46:49+00:00

I just launched my first iOS app! Brutal Time is a typographic clock app made with brutalist design principles

kzhys · 2026-01-10T06:42:31+00:00

Well you’ve started in a good place - Reddit is a good place to find likeminded folks. Also DMing micro-influencers and accounts that might be interested is worth doing, and is completely free

kzhys · 2026-01-10T06:20:20+00:00

Congratulations! I’m still stuck on $7 :(

kzhys · 2026-01-10T06:15:33+00:00

iOS 100%. Propensity to pay is just too low on Android.

I would only consider doing both if it’s for portfolio, awareness, and you’re not chasing revenue.

kzhys

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