Spotlight Indexing

Spotlight Indexing makes your app’s content discoverable through the system-wide Spotlight search on iOS devices. When users swipe down on their home screen and type a query, indexed app content can appear alongside web results, contacts, and system settings. This creates an entry point into your app that bypasses the App Store entirely.

Implementation Methods

Two primary approaches exist for Spotlight Indexing. CoreSpotlight lets you index specific content items like articles, products, or recipes with rich metadata including titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and keywords. NSUserActivity indexes content based on user behavior, marking screens the user has visited so they surface again through search. Both methods support deep linking, sending users to the relevant content within your app rather than the main screen.

Benefits for App Discovery and Retention

Spotlight Indexing multiplies the touchpoints where users can rediscover and re-engage with your app. Users who find content through Spotlight land on high-value screens, improving session quality and retention. For apps with large content libraries, this approach turns every piece into a discoverable entry point. Content-driven apps like news readers, recipe collections, and e-commerce platforms benefit the most. Well-indexed content also fuels Siri Suggestions, where the system recommends your app based on usage patterns and indexed data.