# Guideline 2.3.7 - Accurate Metadata: App Subtitle Contains Keyword Spam

**Guideline:** 2.3.7 · **Store:** Apple App Store · **Severity:** low · **Fix difficulty:** easy · **Typical turnaround:** 1-2 hours

Canonical URL: https://appstorereject.com/rejections/apple/2/guideline-237-accurate-metadata-app-subtitle-contains-keyword-spam

## Description

Apple is rejecting your app because the subtitle field in App Store Connect contains keyword spam rather than a meaningful description of the app. The subtitle (up to 30 characters, displayed below the app name on the App Store) should be a concise summary of your app's purpose, not a list of search terms. Apple distinguishes between a legitimate subtitle ('Track your daily expenses') and keyword spam ('budget money finance tracker free'). The distinction is whether the subtitle reads as natural language that describes the app, or as a list of disconnected keywords crammed together for search ranking. This rejection often comes paired with keyword stuffing in the app name (also 2.3.7). Apple evaluates name, subtitle, and keywords holistically -- if all three are stuffed with search terms, they'll reject for the most egregious field but flag the others too.

## Common variations

- Subtitle contains a list of keywords
- Subtitle is not a descriptive summary of the app
- Subtitle appears to be used for keyword optimization
- Subtitle includes terms not descriptive of the app's purpose

## Example rejection email

```
Guideline 2.3.7 - Performance - Accurate Metadata

Your app's subtitle is not appropriate. Specifically, the subtitle contains a list of keywords rather than a descriptive summary of the app.

Subtitles are meant to summarize your app in a concise phrase. They should not be used for keyword optimization.

Next Steps:
Please update your app's subtitle to be a brief, descriptive summary of the app's purpose. Move any keyword terms to the Keywords field in App Store Connect.
```

## Resolution steps

## Quick Assessment
- **Risk level:** Low
- **Resolution path:** Update subtitle in App Store Connect
- **Typical turnaround:** 1-2 hours

## The Fix

1. **Write a natural-language subtitle** -- The subtitle should complete the thought started by your app name. If your app is 'BudgetBee', the subtitle should be something like 'Simple Expense Tracking' -- not 'Budget Money Finance Tracker.'

2. **Move keywords to the Keywords field** -- App Store Connect provides a 100-character keyword field specifically for search terms. Use it.

3. **Avoid redundancy** -- Don't repeat words from your app name in the subtitle. Apple automatically indexes the name, subtitle, and keywords together -- repeating words wastes characters and looks like stuffing.

4. **Test readability** -- Read your name + subtitle together. Does it sound like a natural app listing? 'BudgetBee - Simple Expense Tracking' reads well. 'BudgetBee - Budget Money Finance Tracker Free' does not.

5. **Stay under 30 characters** -- The subtitle has the same character limit as the app name.

## Prevention
- Write the subtitle as a tagline, not a keyword list
- Use the Keywords field for SEO optimization
- Read the full listing (name + subtitle + description) as a user would before submitting

## Before / after examples

**Before:** App: 'MindFlow', Subtitle: 'Meditation Relax Sleep Calm Focus'
**After:** App: 'MindFlow', Subtitle: 'Guided Meditation & Sleep', Keywords: 'meditation,relax,sleep,calm,focus,mindfulness,breathing'
**Why it works:** The subtitle should read naturally. 'Guided Meditation & Sleep' tells users what the app does. The disconnected keyword list tells them nothing.

## Common questions

**How long does this typically take to fix?**

Typical turnaround is 1-2 hours (difficulty: easy). After resubmission, most re-reviews complete within 24-48 hours.

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*Machine-readable source: https://api.appstorereject.com/api/rejections/detail?slug=guideline-237-accurate-metadata-app-subtitle-contains-keyword-spam*