Apple Removes Apps From iTunes Affiliate Program - MacRumors
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Apple Removes Apps From iTunes Affiliate Program

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Apple today announced that it is removing iOS and Mac apps from its affiliate program, which means websites who share links to Apple apps will no longer be able to earn affiliate revenue for directing traffic to Apple's App Stores.

itunes affiliates
According to Apple, it has made the decision to remove apps from its affiliate program due to the launch of the revamped App Stores for iOS and Mac. Apple rolled out a revamped iOS App Store in iOS 11, and is planning to introduce a new Mac App Store in macOS Mojave.

Thank you for participating in the affiliate program for apps. With the launch of the new App Store on both iOS and macOS and their increased methods of app discovery, we will be removing apps from the affiliate program. Starting on October 1st, 2018, commissions for iOS and Mac apps and in-app content will be removed from the program. All other content types (music, movies, books, and TV) remain in the affiliate program.

Apple currently offers its affiliate partners 7 percent of the money generated from an iTunes related purchase, including apps. Last year, Apple attempted to drop that rate to 2.5 percent on apps, but kept it at 7 percent after backlash from developers and publishers. Commission rates were, however, dropped to 2.5 percent on in-app content.

Apple plans to remove commissions for iOS apps, Mac apps, and in-app content from its affiliate program starting on October 1, 2018. Other content, including music, movies, books, and TV, will remain in the affiliate program.

Tag: App Store

Top Rated Comments

jclo Avatar
jclo
102 months ago
"Mac App Store in iOS 12" ... um shouldn't that be in macOS Mojave 10.14
Yes, thanks. I wrote this in a bit of an astonished daze. It's very bad news for small sites like AppShopper and TouchArcade that really rely on this revenue and have directed traffic to Apple's App Stores for YEARS. :(
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
az431 Avatar
az431
102 months ago
This will really hurt small [and medium] size websites that do app and game reviews. Quite disappointing Apple would go this route. :(
You mean click bait mills.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Naraxus Avatar
Naraxus
102 months ago
Yes, thanks. I wrote this in a bit of an astonished daze. It's very bad news for small sites like AppShopper and TouchArcade that really rely on this revenue and have directed traffic to Apple's App Stores for YEARS. :(
Anything to further pad Little Timmy's wallet no matter who it hurts is fine by him....
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vjl323 Avatar
vjl323
102 months ago
This will really hurt small [and medium] size websites that do app and game reviews. Quite disappointing Apple would go this route. :(
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
OldSchoolMacGuy
102 months ago
Yes, thanks. I wrote this in a bit of an astonished daze. It's very bad news for small sites like AppShopper and TouchArcade that really rely on this revenue and have directed traffic to Apple's App Stores for YEARS. :(
On the plus side it puts an end to a lot of the garbage ones too. Far too many use shady techniques and crap reviews to bring traffic in.

Any decent site should have other sources of monetization. Relying on just one or two is stupidity.

I'm sure Arnold will be fine with the many other ways he monetizes MacRumors, AppShopper, and TouchArcade.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
nutmac
102 months ago
I guess this means all the deal tracking services will come to an end. The least Apple should do is resurrect Wish List feature that was removed on iOS 11.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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