Apple Apologizes After Sending Ad Spend and Install Reports to Wrong Developers Due to 'Processing Error'

Apple today apologized after sending incorrect information to some iOS developers using its Search Ads Basic service yesterday. The reports actually belonged to other developers, according to Steve Troughton-Smith and others affected.

The follow-up email blames the mishap on a "processing error" and adds that all future reports of these kind will require developers to sign into their accounts to view their dashboards to ensure this issue does not occur again.

Thank you for being a part of the iOS developer community and for using our new Search Ads Basic service.

Due to a processing error, the January monthly results email we sent to you contains incorrect app promotion information.

Accurate performance information is always available in your Search Ads account. To ensure such an issue will not recur, all future performance communications will direct you to sign in to your account to view your Dashboard.

We apologize for the inconvenience this error has caused. We value your business and will work hard to make our new Basic service something you'll love.

Introduced late last year, Search Ads Basic works so that developers only pay out if a user installs the app. It 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 uses App Store trends to target the ideal audience.