Apple Search Ads Benchmarks 2026

Compare App Store paid search performance by intent, app category, match type, and post-install quality. Tap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.

Last updated March 2026

Family Snapshot

Median Tap-Through6.8%
Median CPT$1.92
Median CPI$3.80
Top Quartile CVR54%

Apple Search Ads Benchmarks Snapshot

Apple Search Ads benchmarks for tap-through rate, cost per tap, conversion rate, CPI, and trial-start quality across App Store acquisition campaigns.

ContextMedianTop QuartileBest For
Brand terms14.2% TTR22.0% TTRCapturing existing App Store demand efficiently
Category terms5.8% TTR9.4% TTRFinding new users with high intent
Competitor terms3.6% TTR6.1% TTRTesting conquesting without overpaying for weak-fit installs
Discovery campaigns$4.90 CPI$2.70 CPIScaling beyond exact high-intent terms

Tap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.

What Moves Apple Search Ads Benchmarks

These top-level pages work best when they explain why benchmark ranges shift before a user drills into the narrower benchmark route.

DriverImpact
Keyword intent and whether the searcher is already looking for your app categoryTap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.
App Store product-page conversion rate, screenshots, reviews, and ratingsTap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.
Match type structure across brand, category, competitor, and discovery campaignsTap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.
Post-install activation quality after the paid search installTap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.

How to Interpret Apple Search Ads Benchmarks

Apple Search Ads benchmarks for tap-through rate, cost per tap, conversion rate, CPI, and trial-start quality across App Store acquisition campaigns.

Keyword intent and whether the searcher is already looking for your app category

Compare App Store paid search performance by intent, app category, match type, and post-install quality.

App Store product-page conversion rate, screenshots, reviews, and ratings

Compare App Store paid search performance by intent, app category, match type, and post-install quality.

Match type structure across brand, category, competitor, and discovery campaigns

Compare App Store paid search performance by intent, app category, match type, and post-install quality.

Post-install activation quality after the paid search install

Compare App Store paid search performance by intent, app category, match type, and post-install quality.

How to Use Apple Search Ads Benchmarks

  1. Separate brand, category, competitor, and discovery benchmarks before judging CPI. — Tap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.
  2. Pair CPI with activation and day-7 retention so cheap installs do not hide weak acquisition quality. — Tap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.
  3. Use custom product pages when category keywords need different proof or screenshots. — Tap-through rate, cost per tap, CPI, install conversion rate, activation rate, and trial-start quality.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good benchmark for apple search ads benchmarks?

Use the median range as the baseline, then compare against the top-quartile range once the campaign, audience, offer, and conversion event are similar enough to be meaningful.

How should I use apple search ads benchmarks?

Start with the benchmark focus, segment by intent and audience quality, then use the drivers and recommendations on this page to diagnose why performance is above or below the range.

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