Mac App Index lists software that runs on the Mac. This page describes what we accept, how a listing is put together, how we keep it accurate and when we remove it. It applies to every app in the directory, paid or free. Guides and news articles are published under the byline Mac App Index Editorial.
An app can be listed if:
We may still decline an app that meets these rules, for example when it duplicates a listing we already have or when we cannot confirm what it does.
Anyone with an account can submit an app by entering its website and, if it has one, its Mac App Store link. If the website is already in the directory, the submission is attached to the existing listing instead of creating a duplicate.
After submitting, the developer chooses how the app is listed:
Featured placement is a separate, paid upgrade described on the Advertise page and on How we rank.
A person reviews every app before it is published. Paying for a listing does not skip this step and does not guarantee approval. During review we:
Approved apps are scheduled and published a few at a time, in the order they entered the queue. The submitter gets an email when the app is scheduled and again when it goes live.
Listing copy is based on public sources: the developer's website and the Mac App Store. When an app is submitted, we read its website with an automated scraper (Firecrawl, or Jina Reader as a fallback) and look the app up through Apple's public iTunes Search API. That gives us the icon, screenshots, version, size and price.
AI disclosure: parts of a listing, such as the tagline, summary and highlights, may be drafted by an AI model from that public material. A person reads and edits every draft before publication. We do not let the model invent features, prices or compatibility claims, and when the sources disagree we go with what the developer publishes.
We do not publish developer-supplied marketing copy word for word, and we do not accept payment for a better description.
Prices, versions and system requirements change. Developers can send updates at any time to [email protected]. Include the app's page on Mac App Index and what has changed. We aim to apply corrections within a few working days. Readers who spot a broken link, a wrong category or outdated details can use the Report option on the app's page, or write to the same address.
A developer can prove ownership of a listing with the Verify option on the app's page, by confirming a code sent to an email address on the app's domain. Verified owners get a verified mark next to the app's name.
When a guide or news article contains a factual error, we fix it in place. If the error changed the meaning of the piece, for example a wrong price or a wrong compatibility claim, we add a short note at the end saying what was corrected and when. Typos and formatting fixes are made without a note.
We remove or unpublish a listing when:
For free listings, the badge has to stay on the developer's site. We re-check it every day. If the link disappears or is changed to nofollow, sponsored or ugc, the listing loses its badge verification and we may unpublish it after contacting the submitter. A page that is temporarily unreachable does not count against the listing.
If we remove a paid listing for a reason other than a rule violation, we refund it as set out in the terms.
Mac App Index earns money from paid listings, featured placement and ads, all of which are labelled on the site. Some "Visit website" links may be affiliate links, which means we can earn a commission if you buy the app after clicking. Affiliate links do not affect whether an app is listed, how it is described or where it ranks. Rankings are explained on How we rank.
Mac App Index is not affiliated with Apple. We do not accept payment for guide placement or for positive coverage. If a guide mentions an app whose developer pays for a featured listing, that has no bearing on whether or how the app is included.
Questions about this policy go to [email protected]. Other ways to reach us are on the contact page.