I'm also trying to find answer for this question.
For example, Google used this code
<link itemprop="applicationCategory" href="http://schema.org/GameApplication"/>
for example of SoftwareApplication schema, but URL http://schema.org/GameApplication returns error 404.

GameApplication is not defined in the current version of Schema.org.

Sounds like a potentially sensible addition to me.

Looks as though the author of the example referenced had ambition ahead of Schem.org reality.

~Richard

Hello, Richard. Thank you for your answer. Can you provide actual list of applicationCategory values or link on this list?

As the definition for applicationCategory indicates that the expected value is either Text or URL, there is no defined list or enumeration values (in Schema.org) for these. Looking at the example, I assume that the author is expecting to use SoftwareApplication or one of it's subtypes (MobileApplication,VideoGame,WebApplication).

For further insight into what is expected or recognised, it would be best to contact the developers support.

~Richard

A while back I mocked up a site which gave such controlled values, including http://software-app-extension.appspot.com/#GameApplication etc. - The page is something like a schema.org external extension, based on the values originally proposed by Google but which we decided at schema.org not to include originally.

Thank you! Just 2 questions about it:
Will this URL be available for a long term?
Will this list be a "schema.org-approved-list"?

This seem to be outdated. Any word on if this is actually supported? https://www.w3.org/wiki/images/b/b3/Schema.org-SoftwareApplicationsV2.pdf

This puzzles me as well.

Am I understanding this correctly?

It seems like you can put whatever text value you want here as there is no standard or a specific set of categories. I guess the best rule to follow is to use the same category that your app is listed under on the App Store or Google Play.

@spmedia , you can use any kind of app categories as well as any url, which defines your categories.

I am trying to implement something similar in https://pcmac.download. Any help will be appreciated.

ALL - Software Types are already recognized by most search engines and consuming applications of Schema.org. You can use for example, a URL from Wikdata that is of "type of software" https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28530532 and too see the list of those instances of "type of software" or other categories from Wikidata, this can be queried like so: http://tinyurl.com/y9e4og8w

The other way to categorize Applications or Software is to use https://schema.org/genre ( which is available and borrowed from https://schema.org/CreativeWork )

Most expert SEO folks in the know, already are using various Wikidata URLs in the wild for the applicationCategory and applicationSubCategory

SNIPPET EXAMPLE:

{
        "@type": "EntryPoint",
        "urlTemplate": "facebook://face1111",
        "actionApplication": {
          "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
          "@id": "123456",
          "name": "Facebook iPhone & iPad App",
          "operatingSystem": "iOS",
          "applicationCategory": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q615985",
          "applicationCategory": "social software",
          "genre": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2715623",
          "genre": "social networking"
        }
      }

Our Github Issues are not really meant for this kind of Q/A, but instead talking about real issues or gaps in Schema.org. Please use our mailing list in the future where more helpful eyes can assist you with support and help, as mentioned on our Wiki https://github.com/schemaorg/schemaorg/wiki

@danbri Sorry, which part of my response are you asking about ? You quoted my whole reply, so its hard for me to know, can you clarify ?

This issue is being tagged as Stale due to inactivity.

for applicationCategory here, it says: https://developers.google.com/search/docs/data-types/software-app
List of supported app types

GameApplication
SocialNetworkingApplication
TravelApplication
ShoppingApplication
SportsApplication
LifestyleApplication
BusinessApplication
DesignApplication
DeveloperApplication
DriverApplication
EducationalApplication
HealthApplication
FinanceApplication
SecurityApplication
BrowserApplication
CommunicationApplication
DesktopEnhancementApplication
EntertainmentApplication
MultimediaApplication
HomeApplication
UtilitiesApplication
ReferenceApplication