At the Apple Special Event, held September 12, 2018, Apple announced the latest in its iPhone devices: the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. These new devices boast several enhancements, which app developers will want to make note of as they update their apps and create new ones to fully utilize the capabilities of the new devices.
Additionally, Apple announced changes to the Mac App Store with macOS Mojave, which will be released September 24th.
Apple has begun a purge of gambling apps from the App Store, ensuring that only gambling apps from incorporated businesses remain. The problem? In doing so they’re eliminating all sorts of card and dice games that don’t feature gambling, as well as several apps that don’t involve gambling at all.
Apple’s iTunes Affiliate program, which has allowed websites to earn commissions by linking to apps, is now ending.
As of October 1, Apple will drop apps and in-app purchases from the iTunes Affiliate Program, although content such as music and books will remain. With this change, app developers will lose a source of impressions and traffic. As such, a solid App Store Optimization strategy and Search Ads campaigns will be even more important.
Apple Search Ads has proven to be a successful way to reach new potential users on the Apple App Store. It boasts a conversion rate of around 50 percent and a cost per acquisition of under $1.50, making it an efficient and cost-effective advertising tool. Apple continues to roll out new updates and expansions, including new territories and creative sets, so Search Ads will continue to expand.
We’re over half-way through 2018 and revenues are on the rise for the app economy. Between the two app stores, though, which one is seeing higher profits? More importantly, why?