Trust & standards ยท 06
Data glossary
Plain-English definitions of the numbers behind our record boards, so the boards read clearly whether you are a curious iPhone owner or comparing apps in detail.
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Terms
- Rating count
- The total number of ratings an app has received on the App Store. It is the closest public measure of an app's popularity, though it reflects lifetime ratings, not just recent ones.
- Average rating
- The mean star rating, from 1 to 5, that users have given an app. A high average is most meaningful when it is backed by a large rating count.
- File size
- The download size of the app package. Larger apps often bundle more media, offline data, or features, but a big size does not always mean a better app.
- Content rating
- Apple's age-suitability label for an app: 4+, 9+, 12+, or 17+. It is assigned based on the kinds of content an app can show.
- Longevity
- The span of time between an app's first release and its most recent update. A long, unbroken run is a sign of an app that is still cared for.
- Minimum iOS
- The oldest version of iOS an app still runs on. A low minimum means the app supports older iPhones and iPads.
- Language count
- The number of languages an app is localised into, as listed on its App Store page. More languages usually means a broader, global audience.
- Universal app
- An app that runs on both iPhone and iPad from a single download.
- Record board
- A leaderboard that ranks apps by one measurable, factual thing, such as the most ratings, the largest size, or the earliest release date.
- Reigning holder
- The app currently ranked number one on a record board, also called the crown. Because boards recompute continuously, crowns can and do change over time.