ASO news digest for February 2022
Apple allowed App Store Small Business Program members to transfer apps to another account. Google postponed the launch of the “Data Safety” section on Google Play until July 2022. Asodesk updated the free ASO Growth Hacks email course.
Contests
1. App Store Small Business Program members can now transfer apps
2. Apple hosts an online session for developers about the rules and features of the App Store
3. Apple will charge a 27% commission on alternative payment systems in the Netherlands
4. Apple blocked and later unblocked Belarusian developers
5. Google will use Privacy Sandbox instead of Android ad ID
6. Google postponed the launch of the “Data Safety” section on Google Play until July 2022
7. Keyword Explorer will allow you to translate keywords
8. Updated “ASO Growth Hacks” free email course
App Store news
App Store Small Business Program members can now transfer apps
In 2020, Apple announced a new program for small businesses that allows developers with a revenue of up to $1 million to claim a commission of 15%.
Previously, Apple rejected developers who transferred apps from one account to another. The company has decided to lift this ban. The App Store Small Business Program page states that developers can transfer their apps from one account to another and will still be eligible to join the program.
When the app is transferred, the revenue for the calendar year will be associated with all accounts that initiate or accept its transfer. Eligibility for the program is based on the total revenue from all associated developer accounts and transferred apps.
Apple hosts an online session for developers about the rules and features of the App Store
From February 15 to March 29, Apple will hold online sessions where developers can learn about the latest App Store features and get answers from experts.
Apple will share how to create product pages that get the best response from your target audience, provide convenient subscription options, distribute special offer codes, and advertise your events in the app.
Registration for webinars is available for Apple Developer Program participants. Find out more on the Apple website.
Apple will charge a 27% commission on alternative payment systems in the Netherlands
On December 24, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) demanded that developers of dating apps be allowed to accept payments via alternative payment systems besides the App Store.
On February 3, Apple spoke more on how to use alternative payments. It turned out that the company would charge such payments a commission of 27% excluding taxes. While for payments through the App Store, the commission is 30%, and for many developers, it’s only 15%.
Every month, developers will need to send a sales report, after which Apple will prepare an invoice for the commission. Developers are given 45 days to pay. Participants of the program must now create a modal window in English and Dutch.
In the future, Apple will provide a framework with a screen at a system level.
On February 21, Apple was fined for the fifth time by the Netherlands’ antimonopoly authority; the fine amounted to more than $5.7 million. The supervisory authority said that Apple has not yet proposed how to meet the requirement for alternative payments. It turns out that the antitrust authority is not satisfied with Apple’s current decision on alternative payments. The total amount of all fines is currently €25 million.
Apple blocked and later unblocked Belarusian developers
On February 5, Belarusian developers received an email about blocked accounts on App Store Connect.
Apple attributed the decision to government sanctions. This notification was received by individuals and legal entities, as well as sole proprietors. Their apps have been removed from the App Store. According to Dev.by, the notification was received even by those Belarusian developers who have already re-registered accounts in other locations.
However, on February 6, Apple called the block a mistake, apologized, and started restoring the developers’ accounts.
Google Play news
Google will use Privacy Sandbox instead of Android ad ID
Anthony Chavez shared that Google plans to implement Privacy Sandbox on Android. The system will restrict the transfer of user data to third parties and will work without identifiers. However, the company will use the GAID for at least two more years.
Privacy Sandbox was introduced in 2019. It aimed to improve inter-site communication without the use of third-party cookies. This way, Google planned to increase user privacy and exclude tracking movements between sites. A similar solution is now planned for Android.
Google plans to work on the Privacy Sandbox together with developers. You can familiarize yourself with the proposals for a new system and leave your suggestions. Google also plans to collaborate with government regulators.
By the end of 2022, Google will launch a beta version of the SDK Runtime for Android 13. With this version, you can integrate apps with third-party ad SDKs more securely.
Google postponed the launch of the “Data Safety” section on Google Play until July 2022
In May 2021, Google announced that each app in the Play Store would receive a “Data Safety” section and would be required to provide information about user data collected. Now Google Play is postponing this demand.
We should remember that the section will allow developers to announce what user data apps collect, share, and how it is used. This data includes approximate or exact location, contacts, personal information (name, email address, etc.), payment information, photo/video, audio, and storage files.
Developers can also specify which security methods (data encryption) are used and whether users can reject or request deletion later.
The company has now postponed the implementation of the “Data security” section on Google Play until the end of April. Developers will also have until July 20 to provide information about the data collected. After July 20, 2022, apps that do not comply with the requirement will be subject to enforcement measures, such as removal from Google Play.
Asodesk news
Keyword Explorer will allow you to translate keywords
We’ve added the ability to translate keywords from a foreign language into English in the Search Suggestions section of Keyword Explorer.
The translation function will simplify the collection of the semantic core in a foreign language. You might recall that this feature already exists in the tools Keyword Charts, Top Keywords, Organic Report, ASO Comparative Report, and Competitors. The new feature is available on Guru, Power, and Ultimate ASO plans.
Asodesk updated the free ASO Growth Hacks email course
In the updated email course, we have gathered practical hypotheses for app growth in the App Store and Google Play search. You will learn useful tips on text and visual optimization, cross-localization, work with in-app purchases, and reviews. You’ll receive a lesson in your inbox everyday.
Sign up for the course and start improving your ASO today.
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