Apple to Clean Up App Store, Eliminate Outdated and Non-Functional Apps

[MacRumors]

Apple today notified developers about some upcoming changes to the App Store, which are designed to make it easier for customers to find high-quality app content.

Starting on September 7, Apple will begin removing old, outdated apps that have not received compatibility updates, do not comply with current review guidelines, or that no longer function as intended. This will see the elimination of many older apps that have been long abandoned.

Quality is extremely important to us. We know that many of you work hard to build innovative apps and update your apps on the App Store with new content and features. However, there are also apps on the App Store that no longer function as intended or follow current review guidelines, and others which have not been supported with compatibility updates for a long time. We are implementing an ongoing process of evaluating apps for these issues, notifying their developers, and removing problematic and abandoned apps from the App Store.

Apps across all categories will be subject to Apple's new review process this September. Developers with problematic apps will be notified and will have 30 days to make changes to their app to prevent it from being removed from the App Store. Apps that crash on launch will, however, be removed from the App Store immediately.

Apple also plans to limit the number of characters that can be used in an app name, preventing some developers from using excessively long app names to influence search results. Beginning on September 7, app names submitted in iTunes Connect for both new apps and app updates will be limited to a maximum of 50 characters.

Search is one of the most frequently used methods for customers to discover and download apps from the App Store. In hopes of influencing search results, some developers have used extremely long app names which include descriptions and terms not directly related to their app. These long names are not fully displayed on the App Store and provide no user value. App names you submit in iTunes Connect for new apps and updates will now be limited to no longer than 50 characters.

Over the course of the last few months, Apple has been dedicating resources to improving the App Store. In June, Apple announced plans to open up app subscriptions to all product categories, offer more favorable subscription revenue splits, improve sharing tools, and introduce ads to App Store search results to give developers new ways to promote their apps.

Update: Apple has also released updated App Store guidelines that cover new features in iOS 10 like SiriKit, sticker packs, Messages App Store, the new subscription policies, and more.

Article Link: Apple to Clean Up App Store, Eliminate Outdated and Non-Functional Apps

 

[SMIDG3T]

Good. Apps that haven't been updated in years should no longer be on the App Store. It's obvious the developer doesn't care about the app anymore.

 

[skellener]

And fix search while you're there Apple!

 

[S.B.G]

There go all the fart apps (we hope)!

I wonder how many they expect to clear out.

 

[fzfpff]

Sounds like a smart thing to do. I don't want App Store to be like the Google Play store.

 

[0815]

about time .... way too much garbage on the AppStore that no longer functions or just looks horrible on my 6S+

 

[SMIDG3T]

And fix search while you're there Apple!

Search works fine.

 

[Andres Cantu]

About time!

 

[iKrivetko]

What kind of app needs 50 characters for its name?

 

[0029937]

And fix search while you're there Apple!

Agreed. Has always infuriated me how behind the search function seems. Feels like something you'd use in 2011. Very minor but always found it odd spellcheck and a "Did you mean..." function weren't present.

 

[44267547]

Good. Clear out the neglected applications from the developers who are apathetic.

 

[developer13245]

This was inevitable because there is no way to charge for updates. Also, developers have been pulling apps because they don't make money and support costs are too expensive. Apple needs to open up the platform so developers can sell directly to customers using whatever business model makes sense for their products. They of course can keep their own App Store but iOS device owners could then have the choice to buy elsewhere - this would be proper competition.

 

[DeutscheMark]

Good. Apps that haven't been updated in years should no longer be on the App Store. It's obvious the developer doesn't care about the app anymore.

They do care, because they all pay $99 per year to stay in the App Store.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

Apple also plans to limit the number of characters that can be used in an app name, preventing some developers from using excessively long app names to influence search results.

You mean like this one? "Real Speed: Need for Asphalt Race - Underground Racing Addiction"

I always chuckled when I saw that in my search results.

 

[Gorms]

Be curious to know the numbers involved in the cull.

Either a large amount or a little amount says something significant. After all, with X million apps on the store now, Apple do like to talk about that large number. So what are we trimming thousands and not really reducing the volume or are we culling hundreds of thousands and making a dint big enough that they won't be able to mention App Store growth at the next event?

I imagine it's the former.

 

[rGiskard]

While they're at it why don't they add a more advanced search function, more sort and filter options for both the search results and the user reviews, and fix that stupid frosted pane on App pages that takes up half my 6+'s display.

 

[wolfshades]

There is a *lot* of abandonware out there. Good to see Apple doing something about that.

 

[dwman]

If an app hasn't been updated for a year, it needs to go. That would clear out a sh*t ton of useless crap.

 

[spinedoc77]

Wow that's half the app store. No seriously, any app that is not updated within the last 1 year should be automatically removed. I'm so sick of old apps that don't function well with OS changes.

 

[ZZ9pluralZalpha]

Hallelujah!

 

[kingtj]

Not exactly. The fact they keep paying the annual fee to stay in the program means they care about doing SOMETHING with the App Store. But it doesn't mean they care a bit about older apps they submitted years ago and no longer make any money on.

They do care, because they all pay $99 per year to stay in the App Store.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

They should also immediately remove all apps that are web wrappers. Particularlly prevalent for forum apps.

 

[LordQ]

They do care, because they all pay $99 per year to stay in the App Store.

And I won't pay a cent for an App that has not received an update in months.

This is ultimately to encourage developers to revive their apps. I'd love to see this one updated: https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/fuzzle/id289962221?mt=8

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

There go all the fart apps (we hope)!

I wonder how many they expect to clear out.

MR: where the user base hits 15 and stays there.

 

[XMZ-250]

There will be a lot of apps that will be removed especially those apps that still has the iOS(iPhone OS) 3.1.3 as the minimum compatible OS.