14 DAY TRIAL // Apple seems to be determined to become the only provider of recommendations for apps, as it has begun to completely restrict searching the App Store with third-party tools, according to a developer.
Sources who wished to remain anonymous for fear of upsetting Apple are telling PocketGamer that the company is pushing with its crackdown of apps that market other apps.
The rejection of AppGratis a few weeks ago was only one of numerous other cases where developers saw their apps banned for replicating App Store functionality.
In pulling these IPs, Apple cites clause 2.25 of its App Store Guidelines which states, “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.”
PocketGamer “understands” that any app which deals with “filtering, bookmarking, searching, or sharing recommendations” will be rejected. Needless to point out, the iOS App Store is filled with such titles.
A developer tells the site, “Our 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.”
The developer adds, “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.”
Apple seems quite determined to defend its App Store from other services mimicking its functionality, even if it means taking down apps that actually drive downloads.