Apple last year started displaying ads in the App Store when a user searches for a particular app as a way to provide developers with a way to improve app discovery via keyword search.

Searching for a term like "to-do" or "calendar" or even something specific like "Tweetbot" surfaces ads that are purchased by developers.

Starting today, Apple is expanding search ads with a new ad product called "Search Ads Basic," while also renaming the existing search ad feature to "Search Ads Advanced," reports TechCrunch.

searchadsapple
Search Ads Advanced, like the initial Search Ads option, requires developers to pay whenever an ad is tapped. Search Ads Basic allows developers to pay for actual app installations received from the ad, rather than taps.

With Search Ads Advanced, developers are able to select specific keywords and demographics when delivering ads, while Search Ads Basic simply allows developers to choose a monthly budget and a maximum cost-per-install, with far less customization.

Search Ads Basic includes suggestions on how much a developer should pay based on historical data pulled from the App Store based on the type of app being marketed, and it uses App Store trends to target the ideal audience.

There's a maximum monthly budget of $5,000 for Search Ads Basic, but there are no limitations on which apps or companies can use the feature, so it's available to both independent developers and larger companies.

At launch, Search Ads Basic will be limited to the United States, rolling out to additional markets next year.

Tag: Apple Ads

Top Rated Comments

A
amattholl
107 months ago
Apple isn't happy with their 30% cut, so they're going to take an even bigger cut. If you won't let them take a bigger cut, they'll bury you under people who will.

This is why I stopped developing iOS (and Mac) apps. Apple can go F themselves. All of their expenses add up to virtually nothing per download to maintain the App Store. Developers put in 99.99% of the effort, and Apple takes 30+%.

If this weren't true, then how about Apple remove the walls around their garden and let me distribute outside the store? I'll pay the pennies to throw my apps up on my website, and promote via word of mouth (IE, for free), same as I always have.
So you’re upset because Apple charges 30% of an app’s profits in return for putting the app on one of the largest and most profitable App Stores in existence.

99% of the effort? Get over yourself. You didn’t create the App Store, ecosystem, or devices that run the apps.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
ArtOfWarfare
107 months ago
Apple isn't happy with their 30% cut, so they're going to take an even bigger cut. If you won't let them take a bigger cut, they'll bury you under people who will.

This is why I stopped developing iOS (and Mac) apps. Apple can go F themselves. All of their expenses add up to virtually nothing per download to maintain the App Store. Developers put in 99.99% of the effort, and Apple takes 30+%.

If this weren't true, then how about Apple remove the walls around their garden and let me distribute outside the store? I'll pay the pennies to throw my apps up on my website, and promote via word of mouth (IE, for free), same as I always have.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
CarpalMac
107 months ago
So you’re upset because Apple charges 30% of an app’s profits in return for putting the app on one of the largest and most profitable App Stores in existence.

99% of the effort? Get over yourself. You didn’t create the App Store, ecosystem, or devices that run the apps.
Obviously not, but the App store would have been an empty store, without those developers.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
960design Avatar
960design
107 months ago
So you’re upset because Apple charges 30% of an app’s profits in return for putting the app on one of the largest and most profitable App Stores in existence.

99% of the effort? Get over yourself. You didn’t create the App Store, ecosystem, or devices that run the apps.
I agree. 30% to hit a potential market of a billion devices. If you have an issue with the 30% charge, you can deploy to the app stores for $0.00 ( free as you've requested ) and live off of ads ( or not ).

I prefer the walled garden of the app store. Weeds out most of the script kiddies.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
Akagi
107 months ago
Is there a way to block ads on the App Store?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
scottwb
107 months ago
Giving it a go ... got my first sale of my app (£2.99) for £0.75 :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
Read Full Article
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker. Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the...
Read Full Article • 331 comments
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
Read Full Article • 202 comments
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
Read Full Article • 57 comments
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

10 Reasons to Wait for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:12 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
Read Full Article • 95 comments