Apple plans to ban offers in the App Store

According to a new point in Apple’s rulebook (Apple’s App Review Guidelines), apps that sell or advertise other people’s apps in a way reminiscent of the App Store will be removed from iTunes.

The ban itself sounds rather vague, as if it was written by domestic legislators: “apps that display apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected” (applications that demonstrate other people’s apps for purchase or advertising in a way reminiscent of buying or promoting in the App Store, will be banned). According to the assumption of our colleagues from PocketGamer, all advertising offer walls available in the App Store, as well as applications like FreeAppADay, AppoDay, AppGratis, Daily App Dream and AppShopper, are banned.

Note that these services are responsible for a large number of downloads, many developers in their advertising campaigns largely focus on them. If they are banned, developers will have to look for new ways to promote, which can cost a pretty penny. So, according to our estimates, the introduction of this innovation will lead to a significant increase in the user’s purchase price. 

But, potentially, the new item will affect not only them, but also those who are engaged in cross-promotion, as well as advertising in the mobile sphere.

As for the reasons for the innovation, they are most likely related to Apple’s desire to limit the influence of third-party tops on its store, on its own charts.