Apple is no longer allowing developers to include pricing information in the name of their apps. This was a practice commonly used to promote free or inexpensive software.
According to VentureBeat, Apple has been gradually shifting App Store policy over the past month to accommodate the new stipulations. In particular, submissions containing references to pricing in their name, preview images or metadata are being blocked from the iOS and Mac App Stores.
The company discourages developers from incorporating allusions to price in app titles and accompanying App Store assets, but until now has not taken action against those who do. If a developer submits a new app with a reference to price in the name, the following error is returned:
“Your apps name, icons, screenshots, or previews to be displayed on the App Store include references to your apps price, which is not considered a part of these metadata items.
Please remove any references to your apps price from your apps name, including any references to your app being free or discounted. If you would like to advertise changes to your apps price, it would be appropriate to include this information in the app description. Changes to your apps price can be made in the Pricing and Availability section of iTunes Connect.”
An Apple spokesperson confirmed the new App Store protocol to VentureBeat, but declined to explain the reason for the changes.
