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Hmm, what is "their own tracking services"? iAd is dead since long, the only ads they serve are Apple Search Ads right? Is there any evidence/suggestion that they are using usage data from outside the App Store to target ASA? The promo-page doesn't seem to indicate that at least [1].

I mean, still in iOS 14, Google can use your data from e.g Google Maps / Chrome to target ads in the Youtube app on the same device without requiring any accounts by using identifierForVendor [0]. AFAIK this wouldn't require them to show the scary pop-up either, since they are only sharing the info with themselves?

But yeah, even without "tracking" the users, the ASA is of course in a privileged position, both in its prominent position in the (only) App Store, and by the possibility to charge per e.g app install. Doing reliable app install tracking without IDFA is next to impossible. Taking it further by restarting iAd now would be highly problematic imho.

[0]: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/uidevice/162... [1]: https://searchads.apple.com/privacy/




Facebook’s top ad business on iOS is for app installs. Their cross-app tracking is how they demonstrate that the ad resulted in app sales. Apple is cutting that off here. As you mention, Apple’s competing ad service is also for app installs.


Apple will actually hurt themselves with this change. The apps that can afford to advertise have a paid component to generate revenues. Apple taxes this revenue at 30%. I don’t get why they are going after FB when they aren’t a threat and Social media is the reason to people upgrade your phone to get a better camera. Not to mention the revenue FB drives in App Store purchases.


That’s a solid point. I’d look out for Apple to push their app install ads into more places (eg. the home search bar, various apps they bundle with the phone). Maybe a second attempt at iAd - it will be easier for that to succeed with the competition blocked.


From my naive perspective, it looks like they’re taking their privacy stance so seriously that they’re willing to lose some revenue.


Not just Apple search, they have ads for product installs in Apple News (see sample in imgur link below) and will presumably add similar add space inventory to other services as times progresses. So if they have one set of rules for them and one for third-parties, that can be interpreted as likely anti-competitive behavior

https://imgur.com/hOkRKBP




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