# Guideline 2.3.7 - Accurate Metadata: Price References in App Name or Metadata

**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-price-references-in-app-name-or-metadata

## Description

Apple is rejecting your app because its name, subtitle, description, or screenshots contain references to pricing -- including the word 'Free'. Apple prohibits prices, price reductions, or 'free' designations in metadata because the App Store already displays pricing information, and including it in your listing creates a potential mismatch if prices change. This is one of the more surprising rejections for developers because 'Free' seems like a legitimate descriptor. But Apple's logic is that the App Store prominently shows the price (or 'Get' for free apps), so including it in your metadata is redundant at best and misleading at worst (e.g., if you later add a price). The rejection also covers promotional pricing language in screenshots like 'Limited Time: 50% Off!' or 'Premium features now included free!' Screenshots are considered metadata and must follow the same rules.

## Common variations

- App name contains the word 'Free'
- Screenshots include promotional pricing language
- Description references app pricing or discounts
- Subtitle includes 'Free' or pricing terms
- Metadata includes references to limited-time pricing

## Example rejection email

```
Guideline 2.3.7 - Performance - Accurate Metadata

Your app's metadata includes references to pricing. Specifically, the app name contains the word 'Free' and the screenshots include promotional pricing language.

App prices, including the word 'free,' should not be included in the app name, subtitle, description, promotional text, or screenshots.

Next Steps:
Please remove all pricing references from your app name, subtitle, description, and screenshots.
```

## Resolution steps

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

## The Fix

1. **Remove 'Free' from the app name and subtitle** -- If your app is called 'PhotoEdit Free', change it to 'PhotoEdit' or 'PhotoEdit Lite'.

2. **Remove pricing from description** -- Delete phrases like 'Download for free', 'No subscription required', '$4.99/month', or any specific prices.

3. **Update screenshots** -- Remove any text overlays mentioning pricing, discounts, or 'free' from all screenshot assets.

4. **Check promotional text** -- The promotional text field (which can be updated without a new version) must also be free of pricing language.

5. **Remove from What's New** -- Check your release notes for pricing references like 'Now free for a limited time!'

## Prevention
- Never include pricing in any App Store metadata field
- Let the App Store's own pricing display handle this
- If you want to communicate value, focus on features, not price
- Use Apple's promotional pricing tools (price drops, offer codes) for actual promotions

## Before / after examples

**Before:** App name: 'TaskMaster Free - To Do List' with screenshot text overlay: 'Premium Features Now FREE for Limited Time!'
**After:** App name: 'TaskMaster - To Do List' with screenshot showing the actual feature in use, no pricing text
**Why it works:** Apple manages pricing display on the App Store. Your metadata should describe features, not prices.

## 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-price-references-in-app-name-or-metadata*