Apple is reportedly planning a major overhaul of its app store, including the introduction of a Google-like paid search feature for developers.
Citing people familiar with the plans, Bloomberg reported that about 100 people are working on plans to overhaul the App Store.
The team includes several engineers from the iAd advertising group. It is headed by Todd Teresi, who earlier led iAd.
A new paid search option would allow developers to pay for their apps for appearing in specific search results.
The paid search feature will give Apple a new revenue generating option for the app store.
In addition to paid search, Apple’s team is trying to enhance the way customers browse in the App Store, which currently offers over 1.5 million apps.
There is no clarity on when Apple will introduce the new changes to the app store.
Captiv8 co-founder Krishna Subramanian was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "If Apple goes through with the idea, "it’s going to be huge."
"Anything that you can do to help drive more awareness to your app, to get organic downloads, is critical."
In July 2014, a study by App Annie revealed that the Apple app store generated more revenue despite fewer downloads than Google Play.
The Google Play app store recorded 60% more downloads compared to Apple’s App Store during Q2 of 2014, but in terms of revenue it lagged behind Apple’s app market place.
In September 2014, Apple updated the review guidelines for its iOS App Store, covering the standard operating procedures and restrictions for its HealthKit, HomeKit, and other frameworks that are launched with the iOS 8.
At that time, the company said will look to ban apps that are not unique or provide no value to users, as well as those that do not have a fixed purpose or are just ‘plain creepy’.
