If you can't buy love, you shouldn't be able to buy installs by offering incentives to watch videos or share on social media, according to a number of developers who commented on Apple's recent moves in its App Store.
Shortly after Apple introduced a slew of new enhancements to the App Store at its Worldwide Developer Conference earlier this month, news broke that the company was removing apps and mobile games that seemed to be trying to gain an unfair advantage via incentivized installs and videos.
Though a few online observers suggested developers would be up in arms, several on Twitter seemed to think Apple was doing the right thing.
About time. Apple Begins Rejecting Apps That Offer Rewards For Video Views, Social Sharing http://t.co/nuoj1gO2S6
— Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) June 9, 2014
Nice move from Apple http://t.co/E9OKRtzkpF - "Apple Begins Rejecting Apps That Offer Rewards For Video Views, Social Sharing"
— Mathieu (@MathieuFrogames) June 9, 2014
Others were sure Apple's decision would send a shockwave through at least some parts of the developer community.
Potentially apocalyptic news for some: Apple begins rejecting apps with incentivized video and app cross promo http://t.co/Gp5JKfdQss
— John Davison (@jwhdavison) June 9, 2014
There was also some sentiment around how often and how strictly Apple could keep this up...
Apple reset the rules for incent downloads and rank cheating. i say this is "good" as long as enforced consistently. http://t.co/RQOnCD7iOE
— Ouriel Ohayon (@OurielOhayon) June 9, 2014
... and whether it applied only to indie developers or the big guys.
Err hey Jetpack Joyride, remember when Apple banned this stuff 2 days ago? http://t.co/Trlht3XEO3 pic.twitter.com/KACwB9D09z
— Andrew Camera (@andrewcamera) June 12, 2014
The unanswered question, for now, is whether Apple stops here or continues to clamp down. Developers are already imagining the worst.
Will #Apple starts to kill IAP based free games next?! http://t.co/2q5ZYfJxFc
— William Ng (@gshapeng) June 12, 2014