Apple Will Now Allow Apps to Send Ads Via Push Notifications

Apple is changing a heavily criticised policy of the App Store. In the past, the company completely disallowed apps from using notifications to send marketing messages and ads to users.

There was one major problem, though. Even though Apple banned third-party apps from using notifications to send ads, the company was often accused to be doing the exact same thing and getting a free pass because it controls the platform.

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That’s changing now, though. Apple is finally letting third-party apps use push notifications for marketing purposes. But there is a small catch: users have to explicitly opt-in for these types of notifications, and the apps will also need to allow the user to opt-out of receiving those messages whenever they want. This will hopefully make things fairer for third-party app makers.

“Push Notifications should not be used for promotions or direct marketing purposes unless customers have explicitly opted in to receive them via consent language displayed in your app’s UI, and you provide a method in your app for a user to opt-out from receiving such messages. Abuse of these services may result in revocation of your privileges,” the updated guidelines read.

As 9to5Mac reports, Apple has also updated some of its other App Store guidelines. The company will require apps that offer third-party login options such as Facebook Login to support Sign In with Apple by April 30, 2020. Sign In with Apple is the company’s own login system that focuses heavily on the privacy of the user.

Apple is also getting stricter when it comes to allowing “dating” and “fortune telling” apps into the App Store. “We will reject these apps unless they provide a unique, high-quality experience” says the updated App Store guidelines.

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Conversation 13 comments

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    05 March, 2020 - 4:50 am

    <p>Wrong direction. Apple should have stopped using it that way themselves.</p>

    • skolvikings

      05 March, 2020 - 9:22 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#526004">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>I'm struggling to think of a time I got a push notification ad directly from Apple. That said, I have no issues with anything opt-in, as long as Apple themselves plays by the same rules.</p>

      • mattbg

        Premium Member
        05 March, 2020 - 1:34 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#526053">In reply to Skolvikings:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agree – even the linked Thurrott article doesn't talk about push notifications. It talks about in-app advertising for Apple's services in the default iOS apps.</p>

  • simont

    Premium Member
    05 March, 2020 - 6:04 am

    <p>At Least it is Opt-In instead of Opt-Out. But then again, just another reason to disable most notifications.</p>

  • rm

    05 March, 2020 - 8:19 am

    <p>Apple should still be fined for doing or having done things while forbidding third parties from doing the same thing.</p>

  • r2d22

    05 March, 2020 - 2:06 pm

    <p>enjoy!</p>

  • ponsaelius

    05 March, 2020 - 4:06 pm

    <p>Shortly after this happens the main Apple support pages will have tips on how to switch notifications off.</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      06 March, 2020 - 4:48 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#526150">In reply to ponsaelius:</a></em></blockquote><p>You mean the tips on how to disable notifications will mysteriously disappear. ;-)</p>

  • nbplopes

    05 March, 2020 - 5:25 pm

    <p>I've never seen Ads oping up in notifications from Apple. Have you ever seen it Thurrot? The articule pointed out mentions no Notifications.</p><p><br></p><p>On the article, its about Ads in app. The author confuses tips to help the user find new functionality (Office often uses this for instance), and actual Ads promoting payed services. But ok. living that aside, yes in app Ads were always allowed to everyone. Just don't use that app/service,, use something else.</p><p><br></p><p>Anyway, don't like this thing of Ads in notifications. Glad its opt in. Opt out would be even worst!</p><p><br></p><p>PS: I do think that at some point Apple will be forced to remove Apple Music and Apple TV from default. At least in the EU.</p>

    • Truffles

      05 March, 2020 - 6:50 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#526177">In reply to nbplopes:</a></em></blockquote><p>I think the ads are Apple Music / TV related. This kind: "Because you listened to Black Sabbath, our algorithm suggests you might also enjoy Enya – touch to buy".</p>

  • mubarakwishes

    06 March, 2020 - 1:46 am

    <p>thank for this</p>

  • red.radar

    Premium Member
    09 March, 2020 - 12:24 pm

    <p>I can see app makers holding functionality hostage unless you agree to notifications. Perhaps I am being cynical…</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

  • kaintura

    18 March, 2020 - 2:06 pm

    <p>applesuper</p>

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