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

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

by

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.

itunes affiliates
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.


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 Avatar
ck2875
122 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 Avatar
Asarien
122 months ago
Apple must really be strapped for cash.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spyguy10709 Avatar
spyguy10709
122 months ago
RIP appshopper
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BeyondtheTech Avatar
BeyondtheTech
122 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)
E
ethanwa79
122 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)
I
ignatius345
122 months ago
Does this mean MacRumors articles can just link to the App Store instead of that AppShopper site?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

app store blue banner uk fixed

Apple Says UK App Store Steering Rules Would Be 'Highly Intrusive'

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:43 pm PDT by
Apple said new UK App Store rules would give regulators a "highly intrusive" role dictating how it runs its business, reports Reuters. Apple submitted feedback to the UK's Competition and Markets Authority as it considers forcing Apple to change its App Store rules around steering. The CMA wants Apple to let developers link to payment options outside of the App Store, which the CMA says will ...
Read Full Article • 183 comments
Liquid Glass App Store Feature

Apple Says App Store Changes and Mobile Gaming Softness Affected Services Revenue

Thursday July 30, 2026 4:40 pm PDT by
Softness in mobile gaming and Apple's changes to the App Store business model in some countries impacted the performance of the App Store, Apple CFO Kevan Parekh said during today's earnings call. Apple's services revenue was $30.7 billion, a 12% increase over the $27.4 billion it earned in the year-ago quarter. Though the category saw growth, revenue came in under expectations, prompting...
Read Full Article • 48 comments
telegram app icon

Telegram Briefly Removed From App Store

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:39 am PDT by
Apple briefly removed Telegram from the App Store on Monday night after a review found content that violated its guidelines against child sexual abuse material (CSAM), but restored the app a short while later, according to Reuters. Reports of the removal began circulating around 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday, with searches for Telegram on the App Store returning nothing and the app's direct listing ...
Read Full Article • 49 comments