LocalASOQuick answer
iTunes Search API Rate Limit
Apple states the iTunes Search API is limited to approximately 20 calls per minute, and that the number is subject to change.
Updated
Key parameters
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| term | Required, URL-encoded |
| country | Two-letter ISO code, default US |
| media, entity, attribute | For apps use media=software; entities software, iPadSoftware, desktopSoftware |
| limit | 1 to 200, default 50 |
| lang | en_us or ja_jp |
| version | 1 or 2, default 2 |
Search requests use https://itunes.apple.com/search?term=...&country=.... ID-based lookups use https://itunes.apple.com/lookup?id=....
Planning around 20 per minute
At 20 calls per minute, space requests about 3 seconds apart. Checking one keyword in 52 storefronts is 52 calls, which takes at least 2.6 minutes. Checking 10 keywords in 52 storefronts is 520 calls, about 26 minutes. A tool that runs these checks on your behalf must queue them or you will hit the limit.
Apple's own advice
Apple recommends minimizing results with the limit parameter, and says large websites should set up caching logic for search and lookup requests. It also states ID-based lookups are faster and contain fewer false-positive results than searches, so look up an app by ID once you know it instead of searching by name again.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the country parameter defaults to your local storefront; it defaults to US.
- Requesting 200 results when you need the top 10.
- Retrying instantly after a failure instead of slowing down.
Next step
The country codes are two-letter ISO codes; for App Store Connect locale codes, which are different, use the locale code reference. The ranking by country guide shows why you would query many storefronts. See also the search popularity scale and the review notes limit.
See also: how many countries and rating resets.
Questions
- Is the limit guaranteed?
- No. Apple says the number is approximate and subject to change.
- Search or lookup?
- Apple states ID-based lookups are faster and contain fewer false-positive results than searches.
Sources
- Apple: performance-partners.apple.com/search-api (checked November 1, 2026)
Do this for every country, in minutes