App Store Logo (Photo : Twitter)
Apple's App Store has grown into a large ecosystem since its 2008 launch, but most developers believe it has not changed fast enough. That includes independent app builders who make up most of its fan base and mobile app downloads. Last week Apple announced big changes to the App Store just before its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) including search ads and quicker review times for developers.
Apple also launched subscriptions for all app categories. This provides developers with extra revenue if customers stay subscribed for over a year.
It is unclear why the tech giant made the big changes just before the yearly dev conference. Apple employees familiar with the matter told Tech Crunch that WWDC's loaded schedule made it more prudent to announce the changes before the annual event.
However, Apple insiders who are not on the company's payroll believe there was a different reason. They believe the California-based company was uncertain how upset the developer community would become about major changes to App Store, according to Tech Crunch.
Apple explains Search Ads provides an easy way for developers to advertise their software within the App Store search results. That allows customers to find or rediscover the app, while protecting developers' privacy.
Apple announced earlier this year it will close its iAd App Network on June 30, 2016. The focus of privacy over data has reportedly made the mobile platform difficult for advertisers to use iAds.
Developers seem to believe that too many mobile apps are on the market. Smartphone users also seem to experience the problem when they must scroll through many screens of apps on App Store or Google's Play Store.
Apple will also decrease its cut of subscription revenue after the first year. It will be dropped from 30 percent to 15 percent, which rewards services that customers believe are good enough to keep for one year.
Apple also states that it wants to make sure developers make content that has a level of quality worth a monthly fee. Thus, some apps will be rejected to protect customers with subscriptions.
Meanwhile, Spotify's Jonathan Price told The Verge that Apple's App Store did not solve the main problems. They still prevent mobile apps from offering special offers/discounts and make it hard to figure out which customers are long-term subscribers, according to Mac Rumors.
Here's a WWDC 2016 preview:
