Publisher TapJoy is claiming that Apple is now actively banning pay-to-install apps from the App Store, John Brownlee reports for Cult of Mac.
Brownlee reports, “What’s a pay-to-install app? Essentially, it’s a form of cross-promotion with freemium games in which a player can get in-game goods, currency or other items by downloading another app. In other words, say you want some more f***ing Smurfberries, you could just download another app to get a free infusion…. which, in turn, would probably want you to download some other app to get an item, ad infinitim de pukum.
Brownlee reports, “From Apple’s perspective, the problem with pay-to-install apps is that it artificially inflates download numbers.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple, every parent with 2 folders full of TapJoy apps thanks you profusely!
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Lava_Head_UK” for the heads up.]
Good move
It’s about time.
Overkill is like that. I was surprised when it offered to upgrade weapons si ply by downloading any of their other apps. Not a very good game, either
The Windoze crapware sleaze bags are looking for a home on iOS…here’s hoping Apple keeps on changing the locks!
I wonder if Android users get any credit for sideloading bootlegged copies of apps?
Excellent! For those who oppose a benevolent curated app environment, this is exhibit #1.
This is BS. I can use the same argument, that my competitor offers his app for free, tilts the downloads into his favor.
In a free market economy I can use any incentive to entice either to buy or download another app.
This socialist BS. So providers should not be allowed to offer BOGO, that sure will tilt their sales numbers. WTF?
Some very popular games do this, like City Story (and Farm Story and all their brethren). You download their other apps to get 6 extra valuable city cash for each additional installation. It’s been a part of the game since the very beginning. I wouldn’t call this “crapware sleaze” at all, but I suppose it does inflate the download numbers in the store.
It’s all about helping the consumer discover the good apps amongst the thousands of dog turds.
This pure and complete nonsense. To prevent a developer from offering ***HIS*** CUSTOMER an incentive to download his other app?
Nobody puts a gun to that users head to download the other app. He does it of his free will and WANTS TO DO IT!!!!
Should it not be Apple’s interest what the customer wants?
Do tell me the meaning behind your nom de plume Ubermac- either I’ve guessed wrong or you need to retake entry level Philosophy; your reply seems more Tea Party-ish than N. Steve is running Apple, shouldn’t he do what He wants? Windows has outsold Mac, Steve never tried to make Mac OSX Win-blows compatible. Steve has always done what He thought was best. If costumers agree, great. If they don’t, fuk’em.