Apple's Top Free Charts Incorrectly Ranking Apple Apps on Some iOS Devices

[MacRumors]

Apple's Top Free Charts on some iOS devices appear to be incorrectly ranking Apple apps like iMovie, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. As discovered by Sensor Tower and shared by TechCrunch, on some iOS devices, the App Store's Top Free Chart lists Pages, Numbers, and Keynote at higher ranks than on the desktop App Store and on other iOS devices.

For example, on an iPad mini 2 and an iPhone 5s, we found iMovie, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers all listed within the top 10 free apps, all at different positions. On an iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, and iPad Pro, the only Apple app in the top 20 free apps is iTunes U, which also matches up with the desktop version of the App Store. iTunes U, according to Sensor Tower's data, is the only app along with GarageBand that should be listed in the top 10 of the free chart.

App Store Top Free Charts on iPad mini​

While MacRumors did not see the errant chart behavior on more recent devices, both TechCrunch and Sensor Tower have seen problematic ranking numbers on a range of different devices running iOS 9.1. Devices running iOS 8.3 did not seem to be affected by the problem.

App Store Top Free Charts on iPhone 6s Plus​

As TechCrunch points out, it's not clear if the discrepancy between App Store Top Chart listings is a bug or an intentional manipulation by Apple, but given the significantly different results from device to device, even those that are the same generation, it seems more like a bug than something done deliberately.

The discrepancy, of course, could be related to a bug in Apple's App Store ranking algorithm, but it's a persistent one if that's the case.

It doesn't appear to be impacting the relative rankings of most other Top applications, besides Apple's. That is, Facebook Messenger is still at the top of the App Store, followed by newcomer Acapella from PicPlayPost, then YouTube, and then Facebook.

Apps like Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and iMovie are listed in the Top Free Charts because they are provided to iOS users at no cost with the purchase of an iOS device, but these apps are not free, an issue that could potentially be causing chart problems. All of the above listed apps sell for $4.99 to $9.99.

Apple has, however, manipulated the App Store results in the past to highlight its own apps, so it could be the result of a direct work to promote its line of iWork apps to specific devices or specific users, but without comment from Apple, it's difficult to tell.

Article Link: Apple's Top Free Charts Incorrectly Ranking Apple Apps on Some iOS Devices

 

[naeS1Sean]

It's all probably inaccurate. Whoever pays Apple the most I suspect. lol

Why else would an app that hasn't been updated since 2011 and has 1 star be in the top 20? (80s arcade or whatever it's called was at one point) Are people that stupid? (Yes)

 

[ButteryScrollin]

Meanwhile at Apple:

 

[Mums]

Naughty Apple!

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Jeez, Apple can't catch a break today.

 

[TMRJIJ]

I knew it. There's no way Minecraft was that popular.

 

[dannyyankou]

Before people start accusing apple of manipulation I'll highlight this-

As TechCrunch points out, it's not clear if the discrepancy between App Store Top Chart listings is a bug or an intentional manipulation by Apple, but given the significantly different results from device to device, even those that are the same generation, it seems more like a bug than something done deliberately.

 

[cariacou]

remember that lawsuit by the UE against google for their favored internal website rankings on searches?

 

[freepomme]

I had notified that.

 

[nikicampos]

Slow Monday huh?

 

[jpgr15]

Before people start accusing apple of manipulation I'll highlight this-

Well, hopefully people actually read the article before posting.

Nevermind, who am I kidding?

 

[JGIGS]

This company is such a gong show now. Not only do they not innovate, tear down annoyingly walled garden, everything they release is just filled with bugs. At least their hardware is still good quality for the most part. Though overpriced.

 

[2457282]

Is it possible that as part of the ongoing upgrade, apple has actually tune it so that the charts are based on the device you are using? Say for example that pages is #1 on the ipad but #10 on the iPhone. Just a thought.

 

[BrentD]

Or maybe their rankings are just refreshed at different times? If you look at the iTunes charts for music on the web versus in iTunes or on your mobile device, they rarely match. Why is this such a surprise?

 

[NMBob]

Meanwhile at Apple:

You forgot to put an Apple badge on him.

It's the new sorting algorithm.

 

[redheeler]

Is it possible that as part of the ongoing upgrade, apple has actually tune it so that the charts are based on the device you are using? Say for example that pages is #1 on the ipad but #10 on the iPhone. Just a thought.

It seems strange the results would be different on one iPhone or iPad model compared to another (instead of comparing an iPhone to an iPad). I was wondering why the Apple apps seemed to suddenly and completely disappear from Top Charts on my iPhone 6s Plus, not just ranked further down on the list but gone.

 

[Vjosullivan]

Well, hopefully people actually read the article before posting.

Obviously, it was no accident. What article?

 

[jpgr15]

Edit: duh

Feel free to delete this message mods.

 

[roboats]

Apple's Top Free Charts on some iOS devices appear to be incorrectly ranking Apple apps like iMovie, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. As discovered by Sensor Tower and shared by TechCrunch, on some iOS devices, the App Store's Top Free Chart lists Pages, Numbers, and Keynote at higher ranks than on the desktop App Store and on other iOS devices.

For example, on an iPad mini 2 and an iPhone 5s, we found iMovie, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers all listed within the top 10 free apps, all at different positions. On an iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, and iPad Pro, the only Apple app in the top 20 free apps is iTunes U, which also matches up with the desktop version of the App Store. iTunes U, according to Sensor Tower's data, is the only app along with GarageBand that should be listed in the top 10 of the free chart.

App Store Top Free Charts on iPad mini​

While MacRumors did not see the errant chart behavior on more recent devices, both TechCrunch and Sensor Tower have seen problematic ranking numbers on a range of different devices running iOS 9.1. Devices running iOS 8.3 did not seem to be affected by the problem.

App Store Top Free Charts on iPhone 6s Plus​

As TechCrunch points out, it's not clear if the discrepancy between App Store Top Chart listings is a bug or an intentional manipulation by Apple, but given the significantly different results from device to device, even those that are the same generation, it seems more like a bug than something done deliberately.Apps like Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and iMovie are listed in the Top Free Charts because they are provided to iOS users at no cost with the purchase of an iOS device, but these apps are not free, an issue that could potentially be causing chart problems. All of the above listed apps sell for $4.99 to $9.99.

Apple has, however, manipulated the App Store results in the past to highlight its own apps, so it could be the result of a direct work to promote its line of iWork apps to specific devices or specific users, but without comment from Apple, it's difficult to tell.

Article Link: Apple's Top Free Charts Incorrectly Ranking Apple Apps on Some iOS Devices

Nobody thought that they are different becuase there are different apps for iPhone and iPad? The charts would definitely be different.

 

[mw360]

An iOS version thing? I don't think you can download iWork on older iOS versions. Just guessing....

Edit: nope, I see it's the newer devices not showing iWork.

 

[danielbahl]

Or maybe it's just people receiving their new iPad Pro and choose to download some awesome Apple Apps for their new device?

Edit: Woups - misread the story - also on older iPads

 

[ninjadex]

Pretty sure this issue, or something very related to it, has been happening with Top Grossing Charts in various categories since earlier this year. You'll also frequently see different results between Mac and iOS devices.

 

[skinned66]

Well so much for those "improved" App Store search algorithms from a couple of days ago.

 

[SlipperySlop]

Obviously, it was no accident. What article?

Exactly. You should read the article and use some common sense before bashing apple. Oh wait, bashing apple is the hobby of the vast majority of people on this forum. Too bad you guys don't have a constructive hobby instead of spending your days waiting for any apple article that gives you even the slightest excuse to predict the demise of apple and to start bashing apple. Has even a single of one of you that takes such joy in bashing apple left the apple arena and gone to some other company for your cellular and computing needs? Of course not. How very sad for most of you. Now watch, I'll be the one kicked off this board and the rest of you who post nonsensical and absurd comments will be allowed to stay. Oh well.

 

[pavvel]

This is NOT news! Damn MacRumors has really gone downhill.