Google Search Will Begin Indexing iOS App Content in Coming Weeks

Google has announced that it will begin indexing content from iOS apps in search results in the near future, enabling iPhone users to open mobile app content straight from Google Search. The company says that indexed links from an initial group of apps will begin appearing on iOS in search results in both the Google app and Chrome for signed-in users in the coming weeks.

OpenTable Side-by-side
Google first introduced app indexing in search results for Android in October 2013, giving developers full control over what app content they would like indexed in search results. A user looking to make a reservation at a restaurant in New York, for example, can access an indexed version of OpenTable directly from search results, book a table and return to Google by tapping the top bar.

Google also outlines instructions for developers on how to get an iOS app indexed in search results, a process that, among other steps, involves adding deep linking support to the app and submitting an iOS app indexing interest form. Google notes that filling out the form does not automatically guarantee getting app deep links in iOS search results, and encourages those interested to attend the “Get your app in the Google index” talk at Google I/O this week.

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...

Top Rated Comments

japanime Avatar
120 months ago
Seems like a nice feature. Nice try, Google. But I'm sticking with DuckDuckGo.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dwsolberg Avatar
120 months ago
This is interesting. Google obviously wants to remain relevant as the world moves to using apps instead of web pages. It's too bad that Apple's App Store search is so poor, but eventually Google might be a better solution to find iOS apps.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KidAKidB Avatar
120 months ago
I'll wait until DuckDuckGo gets it.

I guess you'll be waiting a long time.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TMRJIJ Avatar
120 months ago
I'll wait until DuckDuckGo gets it.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kagharaht Avatar
120 months ago
Seems like a nice feature. Nice try, Google. But I'm sticking with DuckDuckGo.

I'm with you. I'll stick with DDG and skip anything Google. :)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jack Delgado Avatar
120 months ago
This is interesting. Google obviously wants to remain relevant as the world moves to using apps instead of web pages. It's too bad that Apple's App Store search is so poor, but eventually Google might be a better solution to find iOS apps.

Hmm, I'd argue the opposite. As web technology marches towards a native experience, I would have less need to install native apps. The world is not "moving towards" using apps instead of web pages... we currently live in that world. What the world is moving to is finding web applications that remove the need for storing and running a locally-stored application. There's still a long way to go, but web apps have come a long way and will only get better.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)