CoreSpotlight

CoreSpotlight is an Apple framework that lets developers index app content into the on-device Spotlight search index. When users search on their iPhone or iPad, indexed items from your app appear alongside system results, web suggestions, and other app content. Each indexed item can include a title, description, thumbnail image, keywords, and a deep link to the specific screen within your app.

How to Use CoreSpotlight

Developers create CSSearchableItem objects with associated CSSearchableItemAttributeSet metadata and add them to the Spotlight index. The attribute set supports many properties including content type, creation date, rating, and custom keywords. Items can be added, updated, or removed individually or in batches. Unlike NSUserActivity, which only indexes visited content, CoreSpotlight can index items the user has never viewed. This distinction makes it ideal for apps with large catalogs like product listings, articles, or media libraries.

Value for App Growth

CoreSpotlight indexing creates persistent, searchable entry points into your app on the user’s device. Every indexed item becomes a re-engagement trigger when someone searches for related terms. Content-rich apps benefit most because users often forget specific items but search for them later. High-quality indexed content with relevant keywords boosts your app’s presence in Spotlight results, driving organic sessions and strengthening retention without additional marketing spend.