App Store’s Games section switches from algorithmically generated to editorially curated lists

Desktop iTunes App Store human curated sections Mac screenshot 002

In an effort to better surface not-to-be-missed games in the App Store and give their creators much stronger exposure than before, Apple’s adopted human curation for the App Store’s Games section. The old system resorted to algorithmically generated lists like “New”, “What’s Hot,” “All iPhone (Free & Paid)” and more, TechCrunch said Monday.

These old sections have now been replaced with editorially curated lists like “Best New Games” and other aptly named ones.

In some instances, Apple has maintained algorithmically generated sections, like in the case of the “More Games You Might Like” category based on your purchase history.

Pictured top of post is what the Games section on the App Store looks like today. By comparison, this is what the algorithmically generated sections and sub-sections in the App Store’s Games category used to look like before this change.

Desktop iTunes App Store algorithmically created sections Mac screenshot 001

Moreover, as TechCrunch pointed out, sub-categories like Action, Racing, Puzzle and so forth have for the first time gained editorially created lists, along with their own banners in the rotating carousel at the top.

As shown below, each Games subcategory now offers editorial collections of “Best New Games,” “All-Time Greats,” “Pay Once & Play” and more.

Apple originally started highlighting games without In-App Purchases back in February 2015. It would seem that App Store editors refresh these new lists on a weekly basis.

Desktop iTunes App Store human curated sections Mac screenshot 003

Personally, I think this change makes the App Store a more friendlier place than before. And more importantly, it helps surface games you would have otherwise missed in a manner far better than algorithms would.

At the end of the day, human curation wins.

The best solution probably entails using algorithms as a guidance for human editors to help them cherry-pick actual content and build these lists manually.

Are you liking the new human-curated Games sections and sub-sections?

Source: TechCrunch