Apple warns developers about manipulating App Store chart rankings

If you’re a developer who wants to continue developing apps for Apple’s App Store, it looks like you’re going to have to play by the rules or risk your development license being revoked. Apple has recently posted a message to developers informing them about the consequences of “gaming” the charts. Here’s what Apple had to say:

Once you build a great app, you want everyone to know about it. However, when you promote your app, you should avoid using services that advertise or guarantee top placement in App Store charts. Even if you are not personally engaged in manipulating App Store chart rankings or user reviews, employing services that do so on your behalf may result in the loss of your Apple Developer Program membership. Get helpful tips and resources on marketing your apps the right way from the App Store Resource Center.

Apparently this announcement was posted in response to reports about using fraudulent app promotion services that gets apps into the top 25 charts illegally – by using automated scripts or bots to automatically download the apps to give it a boost in its ratings. Any of you been noticing the appearance of strange apps on top of the charts lately?

George Wong
Categories: Apple
Tags: App Store, Apps, iOS