Moves past AppGratis

Apple is becoming more strict about enforcing an App Store guideline against titles with app recommendation functions, says PocketGamer. One developer in particular comments that his app was rejected despite being tailored to conform to the guideline. "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 person says. "I think they aim to be the only provider of recommendations for apps, along with being the distributor."

The anti-recommendation rule is nominally aimed at preventing confusion. "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," it reads. Apple highlights apps on App Store charts and splash pages, and makes further recommendations via its Genius system.

The new efforts appear to be part of a campaign that began with AppGratis. That app, though, has been accused of being part of a scheme to inflate the rankings of apps on the App Store, something Apple has long been concerned about deterring. The company may be extending its efforts to a wider variety of recommendation functions.

by MacNN Staff