SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Apple says that it will start showing paid ads when people search for apps in its popular mobile store.
It’s also encouraging app-makers to sell more apps on a subscription basis, by promising them a bigger cut of revenue when consumers maintain their subscriptions for at least a year.
Apple is hoping the changes starting this summer will bring in more money for itself as well as for independent software developers who make apps for the iPhone or iPad.
Consumers spent more than $20 billion in the App Store last year, but with more than 1.5 million apps available, developers say it’s getting more difficult to compete for attention.
Apple said Wednesday that the new ads could help app-makers get more visibility for their products. The company also said it will improve the search tool that helps users find new apps, while promising that wealthy advertisers won’t be able to dominate the results.