Apple ID: 1250312807
App: X‑VPN
Date of Issue: July 16, 2025
On July 16, our app X‑VPN was inexplicably removed from the App Store search results for the high‑traffic keyword “VPN”. There was no prior notice, no reason given, and no policy violation cited.
We consistently held a Top 3 ranking for “VPN” for several years, so this sudden disappearance is inconsistent with normal algorithmic fluctuations and strongly suggests manual suppression.
Normally, App Store search displays five organic results before any editorial content. However, on July 16, the search for “VPN” showed only three apps, skipped positions #4 and #5, and jumped straight to editorial/promoted content—further evidence that our app has been intentionally hidden.
We have already contacted the Apple Search team, but their responses insist that “everything looks normal.” Given that “VPN” generates over 200,000 searches per day, it is highly unlikely for a Top 3 app to vanish without cause.
We are confident this is manual action. We have exhausted all known channels and don’t know where else to raise this issue. Could someone please investigate and provide a clear explanation?