Apple to Start Selling App Store Search Ads October 5, 2016

[engine]

Apple's App Store search ads are about to take off from October 5, 2016, and if you're a developer it's a chance to promote your App.

Apple launched Search Ads for iOS apps today. The ads will appear at the top of App Store customers’ search results based on a combination of search relevancy and bidding. According to Apple, the program is designed to be a simple way for developers to get their apps in front of potential customers. Developers can sign up today and schedule campaigns, but ads won’t go live until October 5, 2016. Apple to Start Selling App Store Search Ads October 5, 2016 [macstories.net]

More info [searchads.apple.com...]

[mack]

I wonder how this will compare to Google play featured apps?

I am all in favour of developers being able to "pay for play" in terms of getting noticed in the app stores, but I hope we never find ourselves in a situation where it is possible to buy your way to success simply by running enough ads. As we are aware, as an app receives more and more exposure, it begins to snowball, especially if it involves social interactions. I hope this add platform makes it unlikely for this to happen. Apps should only reach this mass on merit, not budget.

Mack.