Apple says it is removing apps & in-app purchases from its iTunes Affiliate Program

Chance Miller | Aug 1 2018 - 3:37 pm PT

Apple announced in an email to publishers this evening that it is making changes to its iTunes Affiliate Program. The company says that starting this fall, apps for iOS and macOS will no longer be included in the affiliate program…

The company explains that, with the launch of the new App Store interfaces for iOS and macOS, there are new methods of app discovery that mean less of a focus needs to be on the Affiliate Program.

Starting on October 1st, Apple says, apps and in-app purchases for macOS and iOS will be completely removed from the Affiliate Program. All other content types, including music, movies, books, and TV, will remain in the program:

With the launch of the new App Store on both iOS and macOS and their increased methods of app discovery, we will be removing apps from the affiliate program. Starting on October 1st, 2018, commissions for iOS and Mac apps and in-app content will be removed from the program. All other content types (music, movies, books, and TV) remain in the affiliate program.

Apple has long provided 7 percent affiliate rates through for apps through its iTunes Affiliate Program. Last year, the company dropped the affiliate rate for in-app purchases from 7 percent to 2.5 percent. Originally, the app purchase rate was also going to be dropped to 2.5 percent from 7 percent, but the company reversed that change due to backlash from publishers.

Apple paid its affiliate rates out of the 30 percent cut it takes from App Store sales. For many publishers, the removal of apps and in-app purchases from the iTunes Affiliate Program will mark the death of an oft-lucrative revenue stream.