Apple Announces Plans to Remove 'Problematic and Abandoned' Apps From the Store
In a new email to app developers, Apple has announced some changes arriving next week on Wednesday, Sept. 7. That’s the same day Apple is expected to unveil the next-generation iPhone and the gold master version of iOS 10.
Say goodbye to abandoned apps
In the biggest change, Apple will remove apps that haven’t been maintained:
Quality is extremely important to us. We know that many of you work hard to build innovative apps and update your apps on the App Store with new content and features. However, there are also apps on the App Store that no longer function as intended or follow current review guidelines, and others which have not been supported with compatibility updates for a long time. We are implementing an ongoing process of evaluating apps for these issues, notifying their developers, and removing problematic and abandoned apps from the App Store.
Apple also said that it will be limiting app names to 50 characters:
Search is one of the most frequently used methods for customers to discover and download apps from the App Store. In hopes of influencing search results, some developers have used extremely long app names which include descriptions and terms not directly related to their app. These long names are not fully displayed on the App Store and provide no user value. App names you submit in iTunes Connect for new apps and updates will now be limited to no longer than 50 characters.
In early June, Apple also announced more significant changes to the App Store including paid search ads and allowing subscriptions for all app categories. After the first year of the usual 70/30 split, developers with a subscription app will only be required to give 15 percent to Apple.