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Apple to Reduce Affiliate Program Commission Rate to 2.5% for Apps Next Week [Updated]

Monday April 24, 2017 10:34 AM PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today emailed its iTunes Affiliate Program members to inform them that its commission rate for all apps and in-app content will be reduced to 2.5 percent on May 1, down from 7 percent, globally.

Apple will continue to offer a 7 percent commission rate for all other iTunes content, including music, movies, TV shows, and books. Apple will also continue to offer a one-time 50 percent commission on Apple Music subscriptions.

Ouch! Apple just slashed the affiliate commission on apps and IAP. This will impact lots of great sites/apps. pic.twitter.com/dbv7CboMX3 — David Barnard (@drbarnard) April 24, 2017

Through the iTunes Affiliate Program, websites can link to and promote App Store apps and receive a percentage of the sale in return.

Update: Apple now says the reduced 2.5 percent commission rate only applies to iOS in-app purchases.

Tags: App Store, iTunes Affiliate Program

Related Forum: Mac Apps

Top Rated Comments

ck2875

115 months ago

The affiliate program and third-party store parsers would be a lot less necessary if app discovery on the App Store wasn't so horrendous. I basically have to rely on AppShopper & Product Hunt to find price drops & new apps.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Asarien

115 months ago

Apple must really be strapped for cash.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

spyguy10709

115 months ago

RIP appshopper

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

BeyondtheTech

115 months ago

Haha, funny joke.

I think these ads just aren't effective, that's why they reduced the rate.

Shouldn't it be the opposite? If the advertising isn't effective, raise them so that advertisers would be more enticed to do it.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

BeyondtheTech

115 months ago

Well, thank goodness! We wouldn't want them to be losing any steam on that constant flow of income.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ethanwa79

115 months ago

I make $250/month from promoting my own apps (via various methods) using affiliate links. With the cut down to 2.5%, I'll now be making $85/month. So essentially a $2000 loss per year (basically a mortgage payment for me).

I'm a small developer with one partner. We've been on the App Store for years. Will we survive? Yes. But this hurts small shops like me... every dollar counts.

Considering how many billions of dollars you have in your bank accounts, this is lame Apple.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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