New App Store Search Filters in iOS 15

With the release of iOS 15, Apple introduced interactive search filter tags to the App Store to streamline the app discovery process. This guide breaks down what these new search filters are, how they function, and how they help users quickly refine broad queries to locate specific applications with minimal effort.

Search Suggestion Tags

The primary search enhancement in iOS 15 is the addition of dynamic search suggestion tags. When you enter a broad search term into the App Store—such as "games," "photos," or "food"—a row of pill-shaped tags automatically populates directly beneath the search bar.

How the Filters Work

• Contextual Suggestions: The tags adapt based on your initial query. For example, typing "games" generates tags like "offline," "multiplayer," "kids," "puzzle," or "racing." Typing "food" surfaces tags like "delivery," "tracker," or "recipes."
• Instant Query Refinement: Tapping a tag instantly filters your search results without requiring you to manually type a longer phrase. The selected tag appends to the search criteria, immediately refreshing the list of visible apps.
• Multi-Tag Stacking: Users can select multiple tags sequentially to narrow results even further. For instance, selecting "games" followed by "offline" and then "puzzle" isolates apps matching all three criteria. Deselecting a tag is as simple as tapping it again.

Purpose and Benefits

Prior to iOS 15, App Store search relied entirely on exact keyword matching, often burying niche apps under popular top-chart titles. These search filters solve that issue by:

1. Reducing Typing: Users no longer need to guess specific sub-genres or manually type long-tail keywords.
2. Surfacing Niche Apps: Developers with specialized apps benefit from increased visibility when users filter by specific attributes like "offline" or "widget."
3. Improving Navigation: The filter pills provide a visual, structured way to explore the App Store catalog directly from the search tab.