What appears in App Store search results?

First, identify the placement

Apple now offers a separate search result creative asset. If you choose one, that artwork can be the first visual someone sees when they find your app in the Search tab. If you do not, Apple can show other available assets, including In-App Events, app previews and screenshots. In the screenshot path, Apple says the first one to three images may appear depending on orientation when no app preview is available. There is no fixed percentage of installs attributable to those three images. See Apple’s asset guidance and product page guidance before choosing what to make.

• A distinct image for search: Make a search result creative asset that explains the app at a glance. Check its iPhone, iPad, orientation and language previews in App Store Connect.
• An App Preview video: Lead with a clear action using real app footage. Check its opening, poster frame and surrounding still assets in Apple’s preview.
• Screenshots as search artwork: Lead with the main benefit shown through a real screen. Compare the first one to three images at small size and try a different order if they repeat the same point.

The choice is about the assets you actually have, not a required ten-slide template. Apple allows up to ten screenshots per device and language set, but you can build a shorter, coherent set.

If you choose a search result creative asset

Apple lists a 3:2 search image from 1920 × 1280 through 3840 × 2560 pixels, or a 5244 × 2950 PNG universal image that can serve both the search placement and product page header. Images cannot contain transparency or an alpha channel. A separate header image is 3840 × 1646. Read Apple’s creative asset specifications for the full format and video options.

The free creative asset maker exports the three exact image sizes above from an image of your real app. Use one clear message and keep important detail inside Apple’s template safe area. StoreStudio’s canvas is a draft and export tool; it does not model every App Store crop or submit assets to Apple.

If screenshots lead the story

Show the app in use. Make the first screenshot understandable at compact size, then use the next images for a different action or result. Paste your live App Store link or add local files to the free preview to reorder and compare the first three. This helps you read the sequence, but it is an approximation rather than Apple’s exact search layout or a conversion forecast.

When the sequence works, open a free Studio project to build or revise the set. Free exports up to five slides at the selected native size without an account or watermark. Check the final file sizes with the upload validator before submission. Pro adds supported multi-size and multi-language exports if your release needs them.

Preview the actual result in Apple

In App Store Connect, upload your draft to the appropriate Header and Search Results or App Previews and Screenshots area, then select Preview. Apple lets you inspect iPhone and iPad, orientation and language before release. Apple’s asset management instructions explain the wells and preview. Review the full product page as well as search; a promising compact image can still be unclear beside your icon, title or video.