Skip to main content

Apple promoting its own stock iOS apps for popular App Store search queries

Apple appears to have recently started promoting some of its own stock iOS apps on the App Store for search terms that would have previously displayed results from third-party developers first. As noted by MacStories, when searching for terms such as “browser”, “web”, “SMS”, “Movies”, “cloud, “Siri”, “internet”, and others on the App Store, Apple is now promoting some of its own apps and services such as Safari, iTunes, Messages, iCloud, and Siri as the first results.

The result for Apple’s apps aren’t typical App Store listings but instead provide users with a brief description and link to either “Learn more” or open the app. Clicking Learn More takes users to Apple’s website in Safari for more information on the app, while some listings, such as iTunes, allow users to tap “Visit iTunes Store” and automatically launch the iOS iTunes app.

App-Store-Listings-04Apple seems to be only promoting some of its stock apps — Safari, Messages, SMS, iTunes, iCloud, and Siri– as results for other stock apps like Maps, Reminders, Clock, Weather, Photos, Camera, etc do not seem to show up for related search terms of the App Store. The results are also limited to iOS devices and don’t appear in iTunes as of yet.

There are bound to be concerns over the way that Apple is choosing to promote its own apps ahead of third-party results in the App Store, especially if it decides to start doing the same for popular queries like “camera” and “mail”.

Back in August, reports claimed that Apple was testing changes to App Store algorithms that would alter the way apps are ranked by taking user ratings, user engagement, and even refunds into account.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. PMZanetti - 10 years ago

    Speaking of stock Apps, tomorrow’s iPad Air launch had better see updates to iBooks and Remote. It is getting ridiculous.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.