Apple has announced that it will no longer be including apps in its iTunes Affiliate Program. According to an e-mail sent to publishers last night, apps for iOS and macOS will no longer be part of the affiliate program, beginning Oct.
1, 2018. This will likely be coincident with the release of iOS 12 and macOS Mojave, as Apple explained that its new App Store interfaces on both the Mac and IOS platforms offer “increased methods of app discovery” that renders the Affiliate Program less necessary.
Apple originally provided a seven percent affiliate rate for apps promoted through the iTunes Affiliate Program, although the company dropped that rate last year to 2.5 percent for in-app purchases, while reconsidering a decision to do the same for app purchases after publishers pushed back on the idea. Apple notes that all other content types — music, movies, books and TV shows — will remain in the affiliate program.
