ASO news digest for January
January was a very productive month for Apple: 10 important news updates came out at once. Custom promo codes for subscriptions and ads for Custom Product Pages have been added to the App Store. A tab with suggestions will appear on Google Play. And Reviews & Replies Board in Asodesk now has a new filter.
Contents
1. The App Store will allow you to create custom promo codes for subscriptions
2. The App Store has increased taxes and prices for Ukraine and some other countries
3. Apple Search Ads allows you to create ads for Custom Product Pages
4. App Store Connect introduces In-App Events analytics
5. Apple introduced a modified interface for update submissions
6. Apple delays the enforcement of rules regarding account deletion and in-app purchases
7. Apple allows third-party payments for dating apps in the Netherlands
8. Apple adopts third-party payment method requirements in South Korea
9. Apple adds new features to App Store Connect API
10. Apple is testing search results with four screenshots instead of three in the App Store
11. “Offers” tab will appear in Google Play
12. Google Play subscription requirement goes into effect
13. New Illinois bill will force Google and Apple to allow third-party payments
14. On February 9, the free webinar “Mobile App Marketing Strategies 2022” will be held
15. Reviews & Replies Board now has a new filter
The App Store news
The App Store will allow you to create custom promo codes for subscriptions
The ability to add promo codes to the App Store appeared in 2020. Back then, the App Store automatically generated single-use codes.
Now app publishers can create a unique promo code (for example, SPRINGPROMO) for each audience. They can create a one-time or reusable code that is available to several users at once.
You can add no more than 150,000 custom promo codes per quarter. Learn more on how to create a promo code.
The App Store has increased taxes and prices for Ukraine and some other countries
On January 12, Apple announced tax and price changes for some countries. Prices have increased in the following regions:
- Ukraine: a new value-added tax of 20% has been introduced.
- Bahrain: value-added tax increased from 5% to 10%.
- Zimbabwe: a new 5% tax on digital services has been introduced.
App Store pricing in the following regions has not changed, but revenues have been adjusted to reflect tax changes:
- Bahamas: value-added tax reduced from 12% to 10%.
- Oman: a new value-added tax of 5% has been introduced.
- Tajikistan: value-added tax reduced from 18% to 15%.
If you select the appropriate category in App Store Connect, the changes will affect your revenue in the following countries:
- Austria: value-added tax rate returned to 10% after a temporary reduction to 5% for ebooks and audiobooks.
- Latvia: value-added tax rate reduced from 21% to 5% for qualifying e-books and e-publications.
- Romania: value-added tax rate reduced from 19% to 5% for qualifying e-books, audiobooks, and e-publications.
Developers can maintain subscription prices for current subscribers.
Apple Search Ads allows you to create ads for Custom Product Pages
Apple Search Ads now allows you to create up to 35 ad variations for custom pages you’ve previously added to App Store Connect. Ads are selected for different audiences and keyword topics.
You can add ad variations when launching a new campaign or a group of ads, or after the launch.
Please note that personalized ads will only appear on devices running iOS 15.2 or later versions. Your default ad will appear on devices with earlier versions of iOS. Read the guidelines for creating ads.
If you need help with promotion in Apple Search Ads, contact the experts from Angle Connect.
App Store Connect introduces In-App Events analytics
From January 6, you can view the following statistics about In-App Events:
- Impressions, views of event pages, and app launches;
- First and repeated downloads of the event;
- Statistics by device type, territory, and sources;
- The number of users who enabled notifications about the start of the event.
In-App Events appeared in the App Store in October 2021. With this feature, you can announce events on the app page, in search results, personal recommendations, and compilations of certain events. Events include challenges, competitions, important updates, and premieres. Learn more about In-App Events and their analytics.
Apple introduced a modified interface for update submissions
The App Store has a new way to submit apps for review. Thanks to the new interface, developers will be able to:
1. Add multiple elements to one submission.
2. Send in-app events, custom pages, and metadata A/B tests without releasing a new version.
3. Manage submissions and communicate with moderators on the new permanent App Review page.
4. Edit elements in the submission.
5. Remove problematic elements from the submission and continue working with the metadata that has been approved by moderation.
6. View your history of submissions that were created in the new interface, as well as messages from moderation.
All submissions are typically reviewed within 24 hours, regardless of the number of elements or whether they contain an app version.
Apple delays the enforcement of rules regarding account deletion and in-app purchases
Apple has again delayed the enforcement of App Store Review Guidelines 3.1.1. until June 30, 2022. As a reminder, rule 3.1.3(d) allows apps that offer online services between two people to use payment methods other than in-app purchases.
Also, starting January 31, 2022, there should have been a requirement according to which users can initiate the deletion of their account. To give developers more time to prepare for the changes, Apple has delayed this requirement until June 30, 2022.
Things to remember about the account deletion requirement:
1. The user should easily be able to find the option to delete their account in the app.
2. The ability to temporarily disable or deactivate an account is not enough. It is important that the account can be deleted along with personal data.
3. Apps in highly regulated industries may need additional support to facilitate the process or confirm account deletion.
4. It is important to comply with applicable legal requirements for the storage and preservation of user account information. This includes complying with local laws in different countries and regions.
Apple allows third-party payments for dating apps in the Netherlands
According to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) decision from December 24, Apple is to allow dating apps in the Netherlands to use alternative payment methods outside of the App Store.
On January 14, Apple enabled dating app developers in the Netherlands to offer third-party payment methods. Thanks to this change, dating app developers will be able to avoid fees for in-app purchases.
Developers are allowed to add a third-party payment service to the app, as well as forward customers to their site for purchases. Apple emphasized that if the developer switches to another payment system, the company will not be able to help them solve problems with the payment. The developer must also create a separate version of the dating app that will only be available in the Netherlands. Apple will charge a fee for using third-party payment systems.
Apple has already filed an appeal against the decision regarding third-party payments. The company believes that the changes may threaten user privacy and security.
Apple adopts third-party payment method requirements in South Korea
The Korea Herald reports that Apple will allow alternative payment systems in South Korea. Such a change should be in line with the law, which prohibits Apple and Google from forcing their in-app payment systems on users.
Apple plans to provide an alternative payment system with a lower service fee compared to the current 30% fee. It is not yet known when the changes will come into effect, but the company has already submitted its compliance plans to the Korea Communications Commission (KCC).
Apple adds new features to App Store Connect API
The App Store Connect API now offers more flexibility for automating and customizing app workflows. Using the API, you can create and send for verification: events in the application (In-App Events), custom pages (Custom Product Pages), and metadata A/B tests (Product Page Optimization). This version of the API also includes support for an updated interface for submitting an app to the App Store.
Apple is testing search results with four screenshots instead of three in the App Store
ASO specialists at ASO Stack have noticed that some devices in the App Store show search results with four vertical screenshots.
We have seen this format on iPhone 13, iPhone 12/13 Pro Max, and iPhone XR for iOS versions 15.2, 15.2.1, 15.3. One screenshot is still displayed in landscape orientation.
It is not yet known if this change will be released for all users.
Google Play news
“Offers” tab will appear in Google Play
Google will add an Offers tab to Google Play. Users will be able to see promotions for installed apps and those they might like. On the tab, you can place four options for offers:
- discounts on in-game items and games;
- discounts on films and books;
- information about free trials and trial periods;
- information about rewards in apps (for example, delivery or free rides).
Soon, a new tab will be available in the US and Indonesia. Over the year, it will also become available to all users.
Google Play subscription requirement goes into effect
On January 17, a requirement was introduced according to which one-time bonuses cannot be offered in the “Subscriptions” section of Google Play. Subscriptions must provide consistent or recurring value to users throughout their duration and cannot be used to provide one-time benefits to users. We discussed this update in more detail in our December digest.
New Illinois bill will force Google and Apple to allow third-party payments
Senators from Illinois have filed a bill that would require Apple and Google to allow developers to use any payment method they want.
The “Freedom of Subscription Act” aims to prevent Apple and Google from requiring developers to use the App Store and Google Play to “sell their products and services”. The law will allow developers to sell their products in the app without using the in-app purchase system, or even do it outside the stores.
So far, Apple and Google are actively fighting for the ability to maintain a monopoly on payments and charge fees in app stores. We should note that Google allowed other payment systems in South Korea, but only reduced the commission by 4% for third-party payments. Apple, on the other hand, has successfully delayed the enforcement of the decision in the Epic Games case. Currently, the company is not required to add third-party payment methods to the App Store.
Asodesk news
On February 9, the free webinar “Mobile App Marketing Strategies 2022” will be held
On February 9th at 8:00 PM MSC, we’re hosting a webinar on marketing strategies where Ryan Kelly, Lorenzo Rossi, and Kristinka Nikeenko will share their app promotion strategies.
Sign up and learn how to create the best promotion strategies in 2022.
Reviews & Replies Board in Asodesk now has a new filter
The new filter Show without tags only shows untagged reviews. This feature allows you to check which reviews you have forgotten to tag.
This filter will be especially useful for those who use auto-replies and auto-tagging. You can track which reviews the system can’t tag automatically and create separate rules for them.
