How to get featured by Apple

I would add, I think there are two steps to getting featured:

1) Make your app featurable: solves a problem in a well designed, polished way. Bonus points for showcasing one of Apple's new technologies (right now things like 3D Touch or iPad Pro optimization).

2) Get noticed by Apple: if you can make a small splash, Apple may make you a bigger one. Apple are kind of like app journalists: they are scouring the web to find out about upcoming gems or breakaway successes. I'm sure they also look at what new apps are making a splash in the charts. I think they found my first app, Grades, because I wrote a blog exploring how to build successful apps and some folks at Apple read it. You can also meet Apple folks on Twitter, conferences, and especially WWDC.

After consistently releasing apps that Apple is impressed with, they may start to build a more personal relationship with you and that's the goal.

Some people think this is all about luck but, as someone who started as a poor college student no one knew about, I found there is a method to the madness.