App Store search is not a user feature
10 months ago
- #App Store
- #Apple
- #EU Regulations
- Apple announced updates for apps in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
- New App Store policies introduce two tiers: Tier 1 (reduced fees, limited services) and Tier 2 (full services, higher fees).
- Tier 1 developers pay a 5% commission, while Tier 2 developers pay 13% (or 10% for small businesses).
- Tier 1 excludes features like broad match search, search suggestions, and natural language search.
- Apple's distinction between tiers treats App Store search as a developer feature, not prioritizing user experience.
- App Store search ads prioritize paid placements over relevant results, harming both users and developers.
- The App Store's monetization strategies, like search ads, prioritize Apple's profits over user or developer benefits.
- The comparison between the App Store and retail stores highlights the App Store's shortcomings in customer service.