Apple Continues Crackdown on App Recommendation Apps

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Posted May 6, 2013 at 7:00pm by iClarified · 7396 views · Translate

Apple is continuing to crackdown on iOS apps that provide app recommendations to users, according to a new PocketGamer report.

The site has been contacted by another develop who's had their app discovery tool blocked by Apple for violating regulation 2.25 which says "Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected."

Notably, the app was refused for "filtering, bookmarking, searching, or sharing recommendations" which isn't explicitly prohibited in the regulation.

The developer who wished to be anonymous said the app is primarily focused on sharing recommendations to your friends.

"I have not seen this rejection notice before and believe that it is a new one. We thought that basing our recommendations on sharing was suitable for Apple, as it had previously stated that if you bake in social or local into your app discovery, you would be fine. However, either we are not social enough, or Apple is going back on its position. Either way, it appears the scope of 2.25 continues to grow and I think they aim to be the only provider of recommendations for apps, along with being the distributor."

Controversy over Apple pulling applications that recommend apps was ignited with the removal of AppGratis from the App Store.

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Kostas Polychronis - May 7, 2013 at 10:41pm

We have also submitted the Pinapps application (already published for Android and WP) which is a kind of social recommendation application and we're not very sure if Apple will accept us. This is a shame, app discovery is what people really need.

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Kostas Polychronis - May 7, 2013 at 10:10pm

Slipp D. - May 6, 2013 at 9:56pm

Despite the legal wording, I don't think Apple's intent is just to remove apps that list other apps, but to make sure apps aren't seen as a replacement for the store. The folks over at AppShopper had their app pulled last December (http://appshopper.com/blog/2012/12/20/appshopper-app-removed-from-the-app-store-for-now/), but relaunched it last month as AppShopper Social (http://appshopper.com/blog/2013/04/21/appshopper-is-back-in-the-app-store-with-appshopper-social/). Through casual usage, it seems little has change beyond the new social focus; nearly if not all of the original functionality remains, and the new social features are a friends list and share buttons— nothing imposing on usage as it was before.

Tom - May 6, 2013 at 8:40pm

Thats the point! Why not make an HTML5 version of it??? Not a big deal. If its good, people will like it.

Keith - May 6, 2013 at 7:51pm

These types of apps can also be offered as web apps to get around Apple's legal mumbo jumbo. That's not the point though. These app discovery apps offer a service that is superior to the App Store. If the App Store told me which apps have recently had a price drop, price increase, recent updates, and let me sort by such categories, and could offer suggestions from other users, then I could see Apple's stance. But until then, 3rd party apps offer not only a better service, but a service not even offered by Apple. Apple doesn't want to see them making money from advertising. That's the bottom line. Wake up Apple! The advertising pays for the services provided that apple does not provide.

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