Strange iOS Rejection

Solar2D iOS
#1

Hi, my recent app update submission was rejected. The thing it was rejected for was already in my earlier version, a user can watch vungle videos for in game coins. I didn’t think this was against the review guidelines, and the reason they gave me was very strange…

3.10

_We found that your app, or its metadata, includes features or content that can have an excessive influence in the listing order or ranking on the App Store, which is not in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines.

Specifically, we found your app incentivizes users to watch an app trailer for coins._

I don’t know if this is a mistake, and if it is not, could someone help explain how users watching videos can boost app rankings? Thanks!

#2

Apple changes the rules all the time.  Without seeing  your code, it sounds to me like you are giving them a button that says “Hey want to earn some free coins?  Watch this ad” vs. just letting the ad play and earn the coins if they complete the play.  Its a subtle but big difference and the word is “incentivze”.  The reviewer thought your app crossed the line.  Other review teams might be more generous in passing it.  Do you have anything in your meta data about watching ads to gain coins?

#3

Thanks for responding! Nothing in my metadata, but I do have a “Watch video for coins” button in my app, it was in my previous version. I thought incentivized videos were allowed. I got the idea from games like hill climb racing and extreme road trip 2, which do the same thing.

#4

Apple are trying to do away with this type of thing and will reject your app if you have “watch video for coins” or social network sharing with a similar incentive.

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/09/apple-cracking-down-on-incentivized-video-ads/

#5

________________________________________________________________________

At the bottom of this message is the email I got from Vungle.

Incentivized videos are now commonplace as video interstitials have taken hold. Consequently, Apple are losing IAP revenue. More coins? Watch a video - don’t need IAP!

Good luck!

MAS1

________________________________________________________________________

Hello,
 

I’m reaching out about a recent piece of news from TechCrunch, regarding Apple’s rejecting apps that use rewarded video views, incentivized social sharing, and “More Apps” buttons like the ones from Upsight and Chartboost.

To summarize, Apple seems to be applying a new interpretation of the App Store Review Guidelines that relate to “gaming the app store.” The specific clauses are below:
 

3.10: Developers who attempt to manipulate or cheat the user reviews or chart ranking in the App Store with fake or paid reviews, or any other inappropriate methods will be removed from the iOS Developer Program

2.25: Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected, unless designed for a specific approved need (e.g. health management, aviation, accessibility, etc.) or which provide significant added value for a specific group of customers
 

Vungle has been investigating these rejections, and working proactively to develop solutions that will allow you to avoid revenue loss. Your account manager should be in touch shortly with best practices.
Please note that Apple seems to be applying the new interpretations inconsistently, and your app may not be rejected if you submit. Additionally, we have not heard of apps being rejected retroactively, and we do not feel that it is a significant risk at this point, given the manual nature of the app review process.

If you want rewarded videos, incentivized sharing and the “more apps” button back, the best thing you can do is to reach out to your contacts at Apple and request that they make a change.

Although it’s unlikely that Apple will reverse its decision, they should care if enough of their developers protest.
 

Here are some key points you can use when you contact them:

We saw this article in TechCrunch today. It seems that you guys changed the way you were interpreting some clauses in the App Store Guidelines to ban rewarded placements, incentivized sharing, and maybe all app install ads

[Our users/we] love rewarded placements, and they have been really [lucrative/profitable] for us

If Apple takes away rewarded placements, I can’t [monetize as well/acquire users profitably]

I really want to use this functionality. Please contact me to clarify what we can and cannot do, and consider changing your stance on the bans

We are disappointed that Apple has seemingly chosen to crack down on growth and monetization tools that users, developers, and advertisers all like, and which have been the foundation of so many great mobile businesses. We are going to continue to pursue clarification from Apple, and we will keep you updated with news.
 

Meanwhile, we have set up a dedicated support contact for anyone who needs more assistance or information around this. Please email applepolicy@vungle.com or call your account manager with questions at any time.

Thank you,
 

Zain Jaffer CEO, Vungle

#6

What I’ve been doing lately is to switch off remotely any features that might possibly be in any way contentious while the app is in the review process.

i.e. Third-party ad libraries that could decide to show a gambling ad to the reviewer, a custom leaderboard that despite having a swear filter still doesn’t meet their ‘requirements’, an in-app purchase to remove ads that also gives coins.

I’ve had apps rejected for all of these. The last one was incredible - I’ve seen a million apps where you get ‘free’ coins in addition to removing ads, yet mine was rejected.

#7

Apple changes the rules all the time.  Without seeing  your code, it sounds to me like you are giving them a button that says “Hey want to earn some free coins?  Watch this ad” vs. just letting the ad play and earn the coins if they complete the play.  Its a subtle but big difference and the word is “incentivze”.  The reviewer thought your app crossed the line.  Other review teams might be more generous in passing it.  Do you have anything in your meta data about watching ads to gain coins?

#8

Thanks for responding! Nothing in my metadata, but I do have a “Watch video for coins” button in my app, it was in my previous version. I thought incentivized videos were allowed. I got the idea from games like hill climb racing and extreme road trip 2, which do the same thing.

#9

Apple are trying to do away with this type of thing and will reject your app if you have “watch video for coins” or social network sharing with a similar incentive.

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/09/apple-cracking-down-on-incentivized-video-ads/

#10

________________________________________________________________________

At the bottom of this message is the email I got from Vungle.

Incentivized videos are now commonplace as video interstitials have taken hold. Consequently, Apple are losing IAP revenue. More coins? Watch a video - don’t need IAP!

Good luck!

MAS1

________________________________________________________________________

Hello,
 

I’m reaching out about a recent piece of news from TechCrunch, regarding Apple’s rejecting apps that use rewarded video views, incentivized social sharing, and “More Apps” buttons like the ones from Upsight and Chartboost.

To summarize, Apple seems to be applying a new interpretation of the App Store Review Guidelines that relate to “gaming the app store.” The specific clauses are below:
 

3.10: Developers who attempt to manipulate or cheat the user reviews or chart ranking in the App Store with fake or paid reviews, or any other inappropriate methods will be removed from the iOS Developer Program

2.25: Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected, unless designed for a specific approved need (e.g. health management, aviation, accessibility, etc.) or which provide significant added value for a specific group of customers
 

Vungle has been investigating these rejections, and working proactively to develop solutions that will allow you to avoid revenue loss. Your account manager should be in touch shortly with best practices.
Please note that Apple seems to be applying the new interpretations inconsistently, and your app may not be rejected if you submit. Additionally, we have not heard of apps being rejected retroactively, and we do not feel that it is a significant risk at this point, given the manual nature of the app review process.

If you want rewarded videos, incentivized sharing and the “more apps” button back, the best thing you can do is to reach out to your contacts at Apple and request that they make a change.

Although it’s unlikely that Apple will reverse its decision, they should care if enough of their developers protest.
 

Here are some key points you can use when you contact them:

We saw this article in TechCrunch today. It seems that you guys changed the way you were interpreting some clauses in the App Store Guidelines to ban rewarded placements, incentivized sharing, and maybe all app install ads

[Our users/we] love rewarded placements, and they have been really [lucrative/profitable] for us

If Apple takes away rewarded placements, I can’t [monetize as well/acquire users profitably]

I really want to use this functionality. Please contact me to clarify what we can and cannot do, and consider changing your stance on the bans

We are disappointed that Apple has seemingly chosen to crack down on growth and monetization tools that users, developers, and advertisers all like, and which have been the foundation of so many great mobile businesses. We are going to continue to pursue clarification from Apple, and we will keep you updated with news.
 

Meanwhile, we have set up a dedicated support contact for anyone who needs more assistance or information around this. Please email applepolicy@vungle.com or call your account manager with questions at any time.

Thank you,
 

Zain Jaffer CEO, Vungle

#11

What I’ve been doing lately is to switch off remotely any features that might possibly be in any way contentious while the app is in the review process.

i.e. Third-party ad libraries that could decide to show a gambling ad to the reviewer, a custom leaderboard that despite having a swear filter still doesn’t meet their ‘requirements’, an in-app purchase to remove ads that also gives coins.

I’ve had apps rejected for all of these. The last one was incredible - I’ve seen a million apps where you get ‘free’ coins in addition to removing ads, yet mine was rejected.