Is it hard to get your app discovered on the App Store in 2026?

Yes. The May 2026 Ask HN on app development had 103 points. Comments: 'market is saturated for new apps', AI-generated apps flood search results, distribution is 90 percent of the battle.

Why do indie mobile apps fail to get discovered?

App Store search ranking favors established apps with download velocity and reviews. New indie apps without a marketing budget are essentially invisible unless they go viral.

How do successful indie app developers get users in 2026?

Social media (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit), personal networks, App Store features (very selective), and Product Hunt launches are the main channels.

Is the mobile app market saturated in 2026?

For general consumer apps, yes. HN comments in May 2026 confirm this. Narrow vertical apps with a specific audience still have viable paths but require targeted distribution.

What alternatives to the App Store exist for indie developers?

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), sideloading on Android, alternative stores like F-Droid (Android FOSS only), and web apps that wrap as mobile experiences are the main alternatives.

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Indie mobile app developers say App Store discovery is broken: market saturated, AI slop flooding search results

Ask HN 'What Is the State of App Development in 2026?' got 103 points and 26 comments (May 2026). Comments: 'The market is saturated for new apps', 'it is all about distribution', 'AI is useless when developing with Maui'. Builders ship but cannot get found.