We all love to try out new apps on our iPhones. And what better place than the “Top Charts” section in the App Store to find the latest apps climbing the charts! It’s imperative, therefore, to keep the rankings free of any adulterations, right? Well, Apple seems to disagree here.According to an investigation done by Sensor Tower (the app store optimization firm), Apple is consciously using the Top Charts section to promote its apps. This behavior started in November when it was noticed that apps like Numbers, Pages, Keynote and others suddenly appeared in the Top 10 in the App Store’s Top Free Charts on the iPhone.
It seems as if Apple, rather than allowing natural order to run its course, is influencing rankings in the App Store. How else can you explain why apps like iMovie that have a small user base ranked higher than apps like Facebook and Instagram? Besides, it’s highly unusual for an app to rank among the Top 10 Free apps in the U.S. App Store for just one day, and then drop off the charts hours later.
Apple refused to comment on how the apps got top rankings in the first place or why it disappeared the next day. Regardless of the answer, the legitimacy and accuracy of Apple’s rankings system have been called into question.
“Apple’s Top Charts have always been something of a black box for developers. No one knows exactly how Apple’s algorithm works, other than it takes into account some combination of downloads and velocity – or for Top Grossing applications, revenue,” reports TechCrunch. “That means that it’s possible that Apple is experimenting with changes to that algorithm.”
We would have like the problems to stop here, but unfortunately, they do not.
Apparently, in its zeal to capture the holiday market, Apple started displaying unsolicited pop-up ads within the App Store application. The ads were promoting the iPhone 6S, calling the handset “Ridiculously Powerful” and urging the user to “Upgrade Now”.
As you can see, the ad covered the entire screen. You would have to click on that “Skip” button to go back to browsing the App Store. This is ironical because it’s happening just months after Apple introduced an ad-blocking option on its latest iOS!
People, of course, did not react kindly to this intrusion. The Twitterati lashed out in good measure, and the Reddit wasn’t far behind either.
So Apple is leveraging Apple’s App Store to deliver ads made by Apple to promote products made by Apple! Don’t you think there is too much of “Apple” in that sentence? And it’s not making me feel any ‘healthier’ as a user if you understand what I am trying to say.
Apple needs to cool off a bit. This over aggressive marketing strategy is only damaging their image. We love Apple products, no doubt, but we also love our space and our freedom to choose. So for now, Apple should let things pass, lest it becomes the case of a mushy pushy Apple.