Guideline 2.3.7
Guideline 2.3.7 - Accurate Metadata: App Subtitle Contains Keyword Spam
Our Take
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.
Resolution Guide
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.'
Move keywords to the Keywords field
App Store Connect provides a 100-character keyword field specifically for search terms. Use it.
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.
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.
Stay under 30 characters
The subtitle has the same character limit as the app name.
Prevention
Example Rejection Email
Before & After
App: 'MindFlow', Subtitle: 'Meditation Relax Sleep Calm Focus'
App: 'MindFlow', Subtitle: 'Guided Meditation & Sleep', Keywords: 'meditation,relax,sleep,calm,focus,mindfulness,breathing'
What changed: The subtitle should read naturally. 'Guided Meditation & Sleep' tells users what the app does. The disconnected keyword list tells them nothing.
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