Apple announced this evening in an e-mail to publishers that it was making changes to the iTunes Partner Program. The company says that from the fall applications for iOS and macOS will no longer be included in the partner program. The company says that with the launch of the new App Store for iOS and macOS, there are new methods for discovering applications, meaning less attention for the affiliate program.
As of October 1, Apple says apps and in-app purchases for macOS and iOS will be removed entirely from the affiliate program. All other types of content, including music, movies, books, and television, remain in the program.
With the launch of the new App Store on both iOS and MacOS and their improved methods for discovering applications, we will remove apps from the partner program. As of October 1, 2018, commissions for iOS and Mac apps and embedded content will be removed from the program. All other types of content (music, films, books, and television) remain in the partner program.
Apple has already offered a 7% affiliate rate through apps through the iTunes Partner Program. Last year, the company lowered the membership percentage for in-app purchases from 7% to 2.5%. Initially, the purchase percentage of the application would also be reduced to 2.5 percent of 7 percent, but the company has canceled this change due to the reaction of publishers.
Apple has paid its affiliated rates on the 30% discount it has made on sales through the App Store. For many publishers, the removal of applications and integrated purchases from the iTunes Partner Program means the death of an often lucrative source of income.
