App’s generally don’t need separate ‘free’ and ‘pro’ versions anymore thanks to internal upgrades via in-app purchases, but some still include the words ‘Free’ or ‘Discounted’ in the title. And Apple doesn’t like it.
The iPhone-maker has begun rallying against this type of naming convention by rejecting apps that put this information in their metadata titles.
So far, it doesn’t appear that Apple is removing apps, only rejecting new apps, or updates that contain pricing info.
Initially spotted by VentureBeat, apps that do fall foul of this seemingly new rule receive the following message from Apple.
“Your app’s name, icons, screenshots, or previews to be displayed on the App Storeinclude references to your app’s price, which is not considered a part of these metadata items.
Please remove any references to your app’s price from your app’s name, including any references to your app being free or discounted. If you would like to advertise changes to your app’s price, it would be appropriate to include this information in the app description. Changes to your app’s price can be made in the Pricing and Availability section of iTunes Connect.”
The move makes sense to us – there’s little need to include this information in titles in the modern App Store, and if it helps to clear out the clutter, it’ll only benefit users.
Previously, developers might also have use the word “Free” to stand out from similar, paid-for apps. This could be seen to be Apple’s way of placing a higher credence on original, high-quality app submissions.
While apps like Doodle Jump FREE still exist on the App Store, it’s likely if they were to submit an update, Apple would reject it.
But either way, hopefully this spells the end of spammy titles in the App Store.
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