In an effort to further improve app discoverability, Apple recently implemented a change to the way Top Charts work on the Apple TV. When viewing the Top Paid, Free, and Grossing Charts in the tvOS App Store, Apple TV users no longer see entries for apps they've already downloaded and installed on their set-top box.

Individualized, custom Top Chart rankings are now available for all Apple TV users, allowing them to see a dynamic list that changes with each app they download. This behavior is exclusive to the Apple TV App Store and is not reflective of how Top Charts work for iOS devices and Macs.

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App developer Equinux noticed the change last week, after discovering one of their popular apps was no longer listed in the Top Charts. Equinux thought the app had fallen from the charts at first, before noticing it was simply hidden on Apple TV devices where it was already installed.

In turns out, Apple now hides an app in the charts once you've installed it. Give it a try: Go install TV Pro Mediathek (VOD for German TV content) from the App Store (currently #3 Top Grossing in Germany) and then go back in to the App Store: boom - it's gone from the charts and the next-placed app has moved up.

This tvOS top charts algorithm change even affects featured apps on the start page: TV Pro Mediathek no longer shows up in its featured slot on the start page of the German App Store once you've installed it.

Apple's intention with the change is presumably to make the charts appear 'fresher' and users see more apps that they haven't installed yet.

When the Apple TV first launched in October, app discovery was a major issue. Apple has since made an effort to make it easier for Apple TV users to find apps through the implementation of app categories, Top Charts, and web previews.

Since late 2015, Apple's App Stores have been under the control of Phil Schiller, who took over from Eddy Cue. Schiller now oversees the app ecosystem across iOS devices, Macs, the Apple TV, and the Apple Watch, while Cue focuses on other software and services. Under Schiller's leadership, Apple has improved search algorithms and sped up app review times.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tag: App Store
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

Top Rated Comments

Mad Mac Maniac Avatar
Mad Mac Maniac
67 months ago
Kinda weird. So the top charts aren't top charts anymore really. It's more of top apps you haven't downloaded yet.
Not a huge deal, just kinda incongruent when compared to the Mac App Store, Apple Watch App Store and iOS App Store
I agree it's incongruent, but I think I prefer this behavior. Maybe the others will follow suit
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
macduke
67 months ago
Hopefully this comes to other iOS devices. It's a small improvement. For those complaining about not being able to see the top lists, most people don't monitor the top lists or give a flying crap. Developers have their own Apple-provided analytics tools that they can leverage. It should be all about discovering new content. That's kinda the whole point of browsing in the App Store.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleFan91 Avatar
AppleFan91
67 months ago
Kinda weird. So the top charts aren't top charts anymore really. It's more of top apps you haven't downloaded yet.
Not a huge deal, just kinda incongruent when compared to the Mac App Store, Apple Watch App Store and iOS App Store
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xenomorph Avatar
Xenomorph
67 months ago
I like this.

Maneuvering on Apple TV has been cumbersome, and scrolling past the same apps over and over didn't help.

You cannot easily swipe away pages at a time on the device.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imola.zhp Avatar
imola.zhp
67 months ago
Sweet! Please do the same with every other device, KThxBye
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nunyabinez Avatar
Nunyabinez
67 months ago
Kinda weird. So the top charts aren't top charts anymore really. It's more of top apps you haven't downloaded yet.
Not a huge deal, just kinda incongruent when compared to the Mac App Store, Apple Watch App Store and iOS App Store
I wish they could just put a little star in the corner showing that it is installed rather than not showing it at all. Or, God forbid, make a toggle to show/hide purchases.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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