For some time, iPhone developers have been using incentivized app download model to promote their apps in the app store. However, last week, Apple rejected a few apps from iOS developers because it was running incentivized app downloads. Now, mobile app distribution service provider Tapjoy has put a cap on such promotions so that an iPhone app cannot top the list in the app store chart through incentivized app download promotion.
Mihir Shah, chief executive of Tapjoy, said “We have put in place a capping mechanism, so no single app can drive the [top 25] charts for another app. That went out Thursday or Friday of last week….That cap is pretty reasonable.”
Shah further said that he and other iPhone developers are in talks with Apple. “We only win if Apple wins,” Shah said. “Apple is the king of the App Store. We need to find a sustainable way to work with them,” he added.
Apple tweaked its App Store ranking algorithms last week. It also rejected apps of some iPhone developers citing clause 3.10 of its developer license agreement, which restricts iPhone developers from any “attempt to manipulate or cheat the user reviews or chart ranking in the App Store with fake or paid reviews, or any other inappropriate methods”.
With over 350,000 apps in app store, it is very difficult for iPhone developers to get good search positions for their apps. The recent policy change from the Cupertino based company will make it further difficult for an iPhone developer to promote his app in the store.
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