Newest Apple Update aims to stop scammers but hinders legit developers
“Beginning January 9, app screenshots will be locked in iTunes Connect once your app has been approved. New screenshots may be uploaded when you submit a binary for an update to an existing app or a new app.”
Apple’s newest update (as of Today) in a nutshell: means that the screenshot pictures you upload with your app, are going to be the one’s thay stay there. Yes, that means no updating screenshots for different seasons, newer updates, etc..
Evidently this is in an attempt to stop developers whose aim is to scam people into downloading their app under the premise of the users believing it is is another app. This is most notorious for happening with Minecraft asa frequent target of clone apps, with developers lifting screenshots from the game to promote an unrelated game. One example, cited by Panic Blog, showed a game called Mooncraft with a Minecraft app image that billed itself as “a moon-themed Minecraft-type game for iOS.” But as a Panic video shows (see below), the game was instead an app that featured building blocks labeled with numbers and letters.
All in all, it’s kind of a bummer for legit indie developers who are looking to split test their images to determine which ones are attracting the highest # of users. Perhaps Apple will reconsider? Perhaps they’ll find another alternative that isn’t as harsh to legit developers but also solves the problems in the aforementioned paragraphs. In either case, the Mobile Minute will keep you posted!
Kevin is an Online and Mobile Marketing Strategist who has worked with companies of all sizes over the last 6 years. You can follow Kevin on any of the social platforms below.
