Apple plans to show ads on the Today tab of the App Store and on individual app pages, according to MacRumors, 9to5Macand AppleInsider. The two new ad placements are an extension of the ads you can already see in the App Store search tab and search results.
Ads on the Today tab will appear in the larger card format used by other content on that tab, but you’ll see a small blue box with the word “Ad” in it under the name of the app. Ads on individual app pages appear under the “You might also like” heading that suggests apps related to the one you’re viewing. Similar to App Store search, ads on app pages are highlighted in blue to distinguish them from other recommendations. According to 9to5MacAd buyers will not be able to target specific applications for these ads, but the ads will be relevant to the app under which they appear.
“Apple Search Ads provides opportunities for developers of all sizes to grow their businesses,” Apple said in a statement: MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and AppleInsider. “Like our other ad offerings, these new ad placements are built on the same foundation: they include content only from apps’ approved App Store product pages and adhere to the same strict privacy standards.” The company plans to begin testing the new ads soon. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apple started showing ads in App Store search results in 2016 and began asking users for permission to enable personalized ads in September. The new ad spots indicate that Apple is exploring new ways to monetize the App Store and that advertising could become a more important pillar for the company as it continues to expand its services business. Unfortunately for us, the new ads mean we have to rummage through even more pesky blue boxes.