App Store Search Ads Go Live October 5, Developers Now Able to Purchase Ad Spots

Back in June, Apple announced some major changes to the App Store, including the addition of ads to App Store search results. App Store Search Ads have gone live as of today, and Apple is allowing developers to purchase ad spots. Ads from developers will be displayed starting on October 5.

Search Ads have been in beta testing since the feature was announced, and developers were previously able to participate in a beta testing program to provide ads that were visible to App Store users.

appstoresearchads

With Search Ads, developers can bid to have their app listed as the top result when certain keywords are used, improving app discoverability. Ads are available through an auction system, with one ad displayed to customers on each search result page. Ads are clearly marked and ad content is the same content that's available on the App Store app description pages as it uses App Store metadata and imagery.

According to Apple's Phil Schiller, Apple "thought about how to carefully" do search ads in a way that "customers will be happy with." Apple also believes the ad auction system is fair to developers, including indie developers.

Developers do not need to pay a minimum amount to use Search Ads, so it's possible to buy ads for a small sum of money. Apple prices Search Ads based on a cost-per-tap model, so developers only pay when a user taps on an ad. Apple displays ads based on a combination of bid amount and an app's relevance to the search query, with ad matching done automatically.

Developers who sign up to offer Search Ads are being given a free $100 credit to get started with the program.

Top Rated Comments

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sykeward

34 months ago

John Gruber wrote about this back in April when it was originally reported by Bloomberg, and I still agree with his thoughts:

"This sounds like a terrible idea. The one and only thing Apple should do with App Store search is make it more accurate. They don’t need to squeeze any more money from it. More accurate, reliable App Store search would help users and help good developers. It’s downright embarrassing that App Store search is still so bad. Google web search is better for searching Apple’s App Store than the App Store’s built-in search. That’s the problem Apple needs to address."

http://daringfireball.net/linked/2016/04/14/bloomberg-app-store-search

Rating: 9 Votes

Buxley

34 months ago

so, basically, the apps making money will be able to drown out the apps that are having problems getting noticed.

Makes you want to just quit developing apps.

Rating: 7 Votes

KALLT

34 months ago

I really don’t understand why they do this. It seems so unnecessary; it improves nothing and at best annoys people. Surely it cannot be just about money.

Rating: 3 Votes

69Mustang

34 months ago

According to Apple's Phil Schiller, Apple "thought about how to carefully" do search ads in a way that "customers will be happy with."

Hmmm. A way to do ads that customers will be happy with... lemme think.

/thinks

{idea lightbulb turns on} <-- it's fucia, cuz Hue

DON'T!!

Rating: 3 Votes

Max Portakabin

34 months ago

Yet more nickel and diming from Cook's Apple.

Rating: 2 Votes

Sedulous

34 months ago

This is so tasteless and tacky... but increasingly fitting of Apple.

Rating: 1 Votes

KALLT

34 months ago

It's not that bad. They will only show up on searches that are related to the ad. They are clearly labeled, and it might give a smaller party a change to show up on top for once.

It is not the confusion, but the unpleasantness on a small device as it can crowd out results that you want if you do use specific search terms. I cannot stand ads on an iPhone and I always pay if there’s an option or delete the app if does not. I find it very problematic that Apple does this. I’d rather have them significantly improve the search function, but they clearly do not see the priority of this.

Rating: 1 Votes

fitshaced

34 months ago

Now there needs to be an external Apple App Store review/rating site. Amazon include a 'verified customer' tag on reviews which is very important but it should be possible to filter out those that are not verified.

The 'Top Grossing' list in the App Store is really pointless but I'm sure people use it. It really just tells you which apps with in app purchases are fleecing their users the most. Top paid and top free are also pointless as they don't reflect quality or usefulness.

Just 'top rated by verified customer' and filter by reviewer rating (when other users rate reviews).

Rating: 1 Votes

redscull

34 months ago

When a Kindle is designed to show you ads, Amazon gives you a discount on the hardware. But Apple is still charging full price for hardware then selling its customers to ad services? It really cheapens the brand.

Rating: 1 Votes

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