Just a few days before WWDC 2016, the Apple company, through senior vice president Phil Schiller, announces major changes for the App Store, some of which will become active in the next period, after they will be announced in the conference.
It has been rumored since a few months ago that Apple is preparing a series of very important changes for the App Store, and now they are officially announced by one of the most important people in the management of the American company.
Ads for applications in searches
The first important change announced by Schiller is the implementation of a system that will allow developers to promote their applications through advertisements that will be displayed in the menus through which results are offered for searches made in the App Store.
Basically, developers with money will be able to pay Apple to display ads for their applications in users' search results, so that new or old applications are easier to discover in the store, which is a big problem.
Apple is also going to start showing search ads for apps in its iOS App Store search results for the first time, something the company had previously resisted. "We've thought about how to carefully do it in a way that, first and foremost, customers will be happy with," Schiller says, adding that he believes the ad auction system in App Store search will be "fair to developers, and fair for indie developers, too.”
Apple will generate revenue from advertisements, and developers with money will probably be happy that they have a way to make their applications known right in the store where users are looking to download new applications.
We're introducing exciting new capabilities and tools designed to help grow your app's business and engage with new and existing customers on the App Store.Search Ads Search Ads is an efficient and easy way for you to promote your app directly within the US App Store search results, helping customers discover or reengage with your app, while respecting their privacy. Starting this summer, you'll be able to participate in the Search Ads beta and see the ads in action.
In order to make searching easier, the Apple company will also modify the algorithms based on which searches are made and will implement 3D Touch actions for quick sharing of applications with friends.
Access to applications and lower commission for subscriptions
Last week I told you that The App Store for Apple TV 4 starts to hide from the application charts free/paid applications already downloaded by users, Schiller confirming this change as one of those to be implemented.
Basically, users will see in these charts only applications that they have not downloaded to their own terminals, so they should have the chance to discover new applications from the lists.
Separately, applications that offer subscriptions will pay lower commissions for payments made through the iOS platform. If now Apple takes a 30% commission from all sales for applications, subscriptions or in-app purchases, the percentage will be only 15% soon.
For the first year of a subscription Apple will maintain its 70 / 30 revenue share; after one year, the new 85 percent / 15 percent revenue share will kick in (applied per subscriber). The new app subscription model will roll out to developers this fall, although if app makers have subscribers they've already retained for a year, the new revenue split starts June 13th.
In order for the percentage to be halved and for the developer to receive 85% of the amount paid for the subscription, instead of 70% as it is now, the subscription must have a minimum duration of 1 year. The change will be officially implemented in the fall, but those who have this model available in applications for at least 1 year, will be able to enjoy it from June 13.
Subscription Enhancements We're opening auto-renewable subscriptions to all app categories including games, increasing developer revenue for eligible subscriptions after one year, providing greater pricing flexibility, and more.
Moreover, developers will be able to offer subscriptions for all categories of applications, the Apple company preparing no less than 200 new price segments to be applied for these types of subscriptions.
Faster application checks
Finally, Schiller brought back to the discussion the fact that the applications will be verified more quickly before being published in the App Store, the verification period being reduced to 48 hours instead of 1/2 weeks, this allows for the faster publication of updates for applications.
The changes regarding ads and app hiding should apply from June 13 at least for beta versions of iOS 10.
All these news will also be presented on Monday, June 13, in the Apple conference that will start at 20:00, and on iDevice.ro you will then find all the additional information.
