Developers have piled in on Apple after a new App Store update led to some very ill-advised ad placements.
On Tuesday, the iPhone manufacturer released a new update to its App Store, saying: “Apple Search Ads makes it easy to promote your app on the App Store. And now with new Today tab and product page ad placements, you can drive discovery of your app in more moments across the App Store — when customers first arrive, search for something specific, and browse apps to download.”
However, almost immediately, problems started to arise. Ads for gambling ads were placed alongside gambling addiction recovery apps, betting apps were advertised alongside apps made for children, and adult video chat apps were showing up on the Apple Books page. Dating apps were even being advertised next to apps designed to improve existing relationships.
They’re on the bottom of listings for gambling addiction recovery apps! pic.twitter.com/q7Pank1gXL
— Jon (@hot_doggin_jon) October 26, 2022
As a result, Apple said it had “paused ads relating to gambling and a few other categories on App Store product pages.”
However, it has not shared any additional information as to how long the pause will last or what changes might be made to app store ad indexes and inventories.
Apple lists apps related to gambling, alcohol, dating, and the pharmaceutical and medical industry as “restricted,” meaning that there are special rules about where they can be shown and where they can place ads.
However, the limitations are based mainly around what is lawful, rather than what is tasteful or potentially harmful. The App Store says gambling apps are “prohibited or limited in some countries and regions,” but does not mention anything about the audience they can be served to.
