Web ads re-directing you to an app on the App Store

[Cyloncat]

I wouldn't call this a "web" protocol, since it only works on iOS (and maybe OSX?)

I haven't read up on the iOS developer side of this, but I know that apps can register themselves with a protocol that redirects to an app. I work as a developer of a medical informatics web app. We have a companion iOS app that provides native imaging support on iOS. We allow our customers to customize image links, which can go to our iOS app or to another web app. If we recognize that they're running in iOS on the web (it's in the Safari user agent string), and they have the iOS link configured, we'll use that in place of other links. It becomes a clickable URL.

Point being, this is a deliberate "protocol" within iOS, and it does have legitimate uses.

However, I've seen the same ad behavior, and it is very irritating. It would be nice of Apple to restrict usage to user clicks/taps, and not accept these redirects from JavaScript.

 

[shandyman]

I wouldn't call this a "web" protocol, since it only works on iOS (and maybe OSX?)



I haven't read up on the iOS developer side of this, but I know that apps can register themselves with a protocol that redirects to an app. I work as a developer of a medical informatics web app. We have a companion iOS app that provides native imaging support on iOS. We allow our customers to customize image links, which can go to our iOS app or to another web app. If we recognize that they're running in iOS on the web (it's in the Safari user agent string), and they have the iOS link configured, we'll use that in place of other links. It becomes a clickable URL.



Point being, this is a deliberate "protocol" within iOS, and it does have legitimate uses.



However, I've seen the same ad behavior, and it is very irritating. It would be nice of Apple to restrict usage to user clicks/taps, and not accept these redirects from JavaScript.

The iTunes protocol works on standard browsers too, it just seems the JavaScript is only set to launch the protocol on iOS devices. I encountered it on safari on the mac too, it kicked up iTunes.

The problem isn't with Apple and the iTunes protocol. It's with the people making the JavaScript that hijacks the standard browsing. Apple should set it on iOS that Safari ignores that, or at list gives a pop up to ask if you want it to follow the script. Therefore bypassing the issue.

 

[C DM]

The iTunes protocol works on standard browsers too, it just seems the JavaScript is only set to launch the protocol on iOS devices. I encountered it on safari on the mac too, it kicked up iTunes.

The problem isn't with Apple and the iTunes protocol. It's with the people making the JavaScript that hijacks the standard browsing. Apple should set it on iOS that Safari ignores that, or at list gives a pop up to ask if you want it to follow the script. Therefore bypassing the issue.

Sounds like it is a problem with Apple for allowing that in iOS/Safari when that is not normally the norm (not should it be). I would say it's similar if Apple allowed for pop-ups and didn't even provide an option to control that (which they do).

 

[JackieInCo]

Sounds like it is a problem with Apple for allowing that in iOS/Safari when that is not normally the norm (not should it be). I would say it's similar if Apple allowed for pop-ups and didn't even provide an option to control that (which they do).

I have had the same thng happen when using the same exact app on a Nexus 7 that I have on my iPad. The android app would direct me to the play store.

 

[LV426]

Well done for totally ignoring what I was saying. Did you actually read my post or you just wanting to bang on about W3C and Tim Berners-Lee. None if which I was talking about.

Of course I read your post. You said that Apple were not in the wrong. I corrected that for you. Duh.

 

[shandyman]

Web ads re-directing you to an app on the App Store

Of course I read your post. You said that Apple were not in the wrong. I corrected that for you. Duh.

They aren't in the wrong. So therefore you did miss the point. Duh. Javascript is at fault.

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Sounds like it is a problem with Apple for allowing that in iOS/Safari when that is not normally the norm (not should it be). I would say it's similar if Apple allowed for pop-ups and didn't even provide an option to control that (which they do).

Actually it's basically the same as pop ups, which do occur with browsers. It's javascripts fault initially, that's what's in the bad. Apple, and other browser makers, need to add a way to stop these pop up equivalents.

 

[C DM]

They aren't in the wrong. So therefore you did miss the point. Duh. Javascript is at fault.

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Actually it's basically the same as pop ups, which do occur with browsers. It's javascripts fault initially, that's what's in the bad. Apple, and other browser makers, need to add a way to stop these pop up equivalents.

Right. That's why Apple and most other browsers have a pop-up blocking option that's usually enabled and can be controlled. The fact that one doesn't exist for Safari where this issue exists is something that is in Apple's court and is an issue they need to resolve. Whether or not other browsers have something similar doesn't really change anything as far as Apple not having done anything about it so far.

 

[shandyman]

Right. That's why Apple and most other browsers have a pop-up blocking option that's usually enabled and can be controlled. The fact that one doesn't exist for Safari where this issue exists is something that is in Apple's court and is an issue they need to resolve. Whether or not other browsers have something similar doesn't really change anything as far as Apple not having done anything about it so far.

Even then it's not 100% flawless. I use safari, Firefox and chrome and I still get pop ups on the desktop. Would like apple to try and implement something in mobile safari.

It's not Apple that caused the problem, it's JavaScript being abused by programmers. They're the problem.

 

[C DM]

Even then it's not 100% flawless. I use safari, Firefox and chrome and I still get pop ups on the desktop. Would like apple to try and implement something in mobile safari.

It's not Apple that caused the problem, it's JavaScript being abused by programmers. They're the problem.

Agreed, the problem are the developers that abuse this, but the solution that would actually have any hope of working (even if not 100%) is on the browser side, as is the case with pop-ups. The inability of browsers to handle the abuse in one way or another is certainly an issue of the browser manufacturer, as would be and was the case when browsers didn't support pop-up blocking. Now, is it something that they have to be truly hated for or anything like that? No, at least not so far. But is it still an issue that they should be dealing with and haven't done so yet (which isn't a good thing)? It would seem to fall into that type of category at least. They aren't to be blamed for the issue per se, but they can be held responsible on at least some level (which can certainly increase over time) for not dealing with the issue at least in some way.

 

[LV426]

They aren't in the wrong.

Actually it's basically the same as pop ups, which do occur with browsers. It's javascripts fault initially, that's what's in the bad. Apple, and other browser makers, need to add a way to stop these pop up equivalents.

I'm only going to say this one more time.

Apple have irked the founder of the W3C and others by deploying a proprietary protocol they named itunes on the World Wide Web, when there was no technical reason to do so. This, in their opinion, was a wrong thing for Apple to do.

One of the reasons it is wrong:

Safari's popup-blocking option is as follows:

You can set Safari to prevent webpages from displaying pop-up windows or loading time-consuming content that may be unnecessary.

But a link/URL that uses the itunes protocol is not a link to a web page. It's a directive to open the itunes application. Had the link been to a URL employing http, for example, there's every reason to believe that it would be blocked as a matter of course by regular popup-blocking.

Dodgy website developers have the ability to advantage of this, and they will do so. If it becomes a major problem, you might be able to convince Apple that their blocker should actively block popups to their own proprietary protocol. It's certainly not the responsibility of other browser manufacturers to do the same. What they should be doing is ignoring faulty and proprietary URLs that begin itunes://.

 

[shandyman]

I'm only going to say this one more time.



Apple have irked the founder of the W3C and others by deploying a proprietary protocol they named itunes on the World Wide Web, when there was no technical reason to do so. This, in their opinion, was a wrong thing for Apple to do.



One of the reasons it is wrong:



Safari's popup-blocking option is as follows:







But a link/URL that uses the itunes protocol is not a link to a web page. It's a directive to open the itunes application. Had the link been to a URL employing http, for example, there's every reason to believe that it would be blocked as a matter of course by regular popup-blocking.



Dodgy website developers have the ability to advantage of this, and they will do so. If it becomes a major problem, you might be able to convince Apple that their blocker should actively block popups to their own proprietary protocol. It's certainly not the responsibility of other browser manufacturers to do the same. What they should be doing is ignoring faulty and proprietary URLs that begin itunes://.

There's nothing wrong with the iTunes:// at all, it's quite handy when linking to the app when you choose to click on a link. You're missing the fundamental issue here, which is what I've been pointing out. The programmers are abusing the JavaScript (which is within w3C if I recall correctly), forcing people to go somewhere they didn't choose, this is the problem. It happens with other links too, including standard web pages. It's just that programmers have recently, almost on mass, have started to link directly to the App Store for hits.

 

[Daveoc64]

As if anyone who was forced to an app linked whilst merrily browsing, got the app. Your comment is absurd. Now if they voluntarily clicked on a link to an app, then you may have a valid point.

It's not absurd, it's fact.

All these ads are doing is directing people to links on the App Store.

Doing that via a sneaky onclick event or an oversized banner is technically no different to the user clicking on a clearly labelled button that says "Download App Now!".

If you want that sort of button to function correctly, then you have to accept people may exploit the mechanism that enables that to work.

Computers do what programs tell them to do. If your program (JavaScript counts) tells the computer to open a link - it should!

The above posters saying "browsers are broken" or "JavaScript is broken" just don't understand the way that the web is designed to work. It's not a closed system controlled by Apple.

 

[charlituna]

The police apps - there are many that haven't been allowed or removed from the store if they didn't meet Apple standards. One of the main reasons that these used to be very clean apps. Apple reviews all apps and could stop this if they wanted to.

They don't review as deep as folks think. Which is why apps end up in the store and then get cut.

Also in app ads are often served by outside sources so who knows if the suspect code would even be in the app to get noticed.

 

[tarasis]

Seen this a few times on Eurogamer.net and a comic book movie news site who'se address I don't know of the top of my head. It's incredibly annoying to be shunted off to the App Store like that without me having done anything bar going to a website.

 

[charlituna]

Actually, Apple are being very naughty.

Type the following URL into Safari, and you will see the iTunes application start up.

itunes://

What's very wrong with this is that 'itunes' is not a standard web protocol, unlike http, ftp, file, https etc. If Safari played ball properly, an address like the above should not be resolved.

It isn't a standard protocol but that doesn't mean that it isn't a valid one for Safari. Heck in Apple stores they use a non standard safari protocol called diags which opens a hidden app on iOS diags that will send your error logs etc to apples system.

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Faced up with this annoying issue aswell. I do like that- download that application, leave one star review and delete.

If you find out an app is pulling such tricks do NOT download it. Find their developer website, see if they have a twitter etc and post a message why you won't download it. Equally affective and doesn't accidentally create a flood of downloads that ups their ranking

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My friend was on PerezHilton's website and literally just put her finger on the page (not on a link, or banner) and it immediately took her to the App Store to get Candy Crush. Then I tried it on my iPhone, did the same exact thing.

I think websites are coding a giant invisible target on their page that redirects you to the App Store.

Apple needs to add a feature in Restrictions like "No App Store Linking" (kinda like "No In-App Purchases").

Yes that is likely what they are all doing.

And yes the restriction idea is a good one. But broaden to some kind of ad block so the kiddies don't end up getting sent to a porn page or such.

 

[LV426]

It isn't a standard protocol but that doesn't mean that it isn't a valid one for Safari.

Well, the fact that Safari's popup blocker isn't blocking this protocol suggests it's not that fantastic, is it?

That's before you even get into the business about it being a lockdown protocol, taking Apple's walled garden to the absolute extreme. I REALLY want the EU to shake Apple by the neck and demand that once you've purchased iTunes content, you should be able to stream it using standard protocols to any device you care to own. It's just about possible that might happen one day in Europe, but not in the US, of course, where consumer rights come a very poor second to corporate lobbying.

 

[shandyman]

Web ads re-directing you to an app on the App Store

It's not absurd, it's fact.

All these ads are doing is directing people to links on the App Store.

Doing that via a sneaky onclick event or an oversized banner is technically no different to the user clicking on a clearly labelled button that says "Download App Now!".

If you want that sort of button to function correctly, then you have to accept people may exploit the mechanism that enables that to work.

Computers do what programs tell them to do. If your program (JavaScript counts) tells the computer to open a link - it should!

The above posters saying "browsers are broken" or "JavaScript is broken" just don't understand the way that the web is designed to work. It's not a closed system controlled by Apple.

You totally misunderstood what I meant by what I thought was absurd. You were basically saying people were making money from app downloads via this method. That's what I was saying was absurd, which shows that all you read from my post was me saying what you said was absurd and nothing else.....

Also, no one has said JavaScript is broken, just that it's being abused.

Well, the fact that Safari's popup blocker isn't blocking this protocol suggests it's not that fantastic, is it?



That's before you even get into the business about it being a lockdown protocol, taking Apple's walled garden to the absolute extreme. I REALLY want the EU to shake Apple by the neck and demand that once you've purchased iTunes content, you should be able to stream it using standard protocols to any device you care to own. It's just about possible that might happen one day in Europe, but not in the US, of course, where consumer rights come a very poor second to corporate lobbying.

Again you miss the point that it's not just these that are bypassing the popup blocker. Video links and some http ones also do. It's only that these are even more intrusive. But I guess you'll either ignore my point or try to shout loud how it's all apples fault simply because you hate their protocol and how it doesn't fit you hallowed W3C standards.....

 

[C DM]

So, just now, trying to get an app from within another app I got redirected to the App Store, as expected, although the redirect seems to go through Safari first (perhaps due to the protocol being used or something like that), and for the first time I got a pop-up dialog in Safari asking me "Open this page in "App Store"? with a "Cancel" or "Open" buttons.

Is this something new? If not, why isn't this being used for what is being discussed in this thread--seems like it's a dialog that is practically designed for this very thing.

 

[shandyman]

So, just now, trying to get an app from within another app I got redirected to the App Store, as expected, although the redirect seems to go through Safari first (perhaps due to the protocol being used or something like that), and for the first time I got a pop-up dialog in Safari asking me "Open this page in "App Store"? with a "Cancel" or "Open" buttons.



Is this something new? If not, why isn't this being used for what is being discussed in this thread--seems like it's a dialog that is practically designed for this very thing.

I get that for YouTube and when I actually choose to get an app, like you did. The problem seems to stem from the JavaScript way of using the link on page load.

 

[C DM]

I get that for YouTube and when I actually choose to get an app, like you did. The problem seems to stem from the JavaScript way of using the link on page load.

Well, seem like Apple can recognize when that happens, even if it's initiated in a more automatic fashion through a JavaScript call being executed or a user themselves tap on some link to do that very thing--and if they currently somehow can't yet, they really should be able to--and do something about it, like present a pop-up dialog like that one, for example. Seems like that's more or less what it all boils down to.

 

[DipDog3]

Workaround

Go into Settings App

General > Restrictions (turn them on)

Disable "Installing Apps"

This will remove the App Store from your home screen & prevent Safari or any other app from redirecting you to the App Store.

I know this is a terrible solution, but it will have to do until Apple decides to fix things.

 

[csixty4]

What's very wrong with this is that 'itunes' is not a standard web protocol, unlike http, ftp, file, https etc. If Safari played ball properly, an address like the above should not be resolved.

Nope. RFC 3986 says that first part of the URI is a "scheme", which may or may not be a protocol. And there is no central authority that declares one scheme valid and another one invalid.

 

[afsnyder]

The websites you are visiting are probably one's you shouldn't be visiting. If a website is spamming you with redirecting ads... it's not worthy of a visit.

 

[C DM]

The websites you are visiting are probably one's you shouldn't be visiting. If a website is spamming you with redirecting ads... it's not worthy of a visit.

It happens in normal games and sites as it simply uses iAd often and that's used on a lot of normal sites and apps.

 

[JackieInCo]

Go into Settings App

General > Restrictions (turn them on)

Disable "Installing Apps"

This will remove the App Store from your home screen & prevent Safari or any other app from redirecting you to the App Store.

I know this is a terrible solution, but it will have to do until Apple decides to fix things.

This is not an Apple problem. This also happens on android devices as well.

This is a problem with that apps or website you were visiting. It has to do with the ads that are being served up on the page.