Apple testing new App Store design that blurs the line between ads and results (9to5mac.com)

Article summary

Apple is testing a new design for App Store search ads on iPhone, which removes the blue background around sponsored results, making it harder for users to distinguish between ads and organic results. This change is currently in an A/B test phase and may be related to the company's announcement to include more sponsored results in search queries. The new design could increase click-through rates and revenue for Apple, but may also mislead users into clicking on ads. The change has sparked concerns about the impact on user experience and the blurring of lines between ads and organic content.

Main themes

• App Store design changes
• Advertising and revenue
• User experience
• Corporate priorities
• Tech industry trends

What commenters say

• The new design change is a step in the wrong direction and prioritizes profits over user experience.
• The change is a natural result of capitalism and the pursuit of revenue growth.
• The removal of the blue background around sponsored results will make it harder for users to distinguish between ads and organic content, potentially leading to more accidental clicks.
• The App Store's walled garden approach is not as safe as claimed, with many scam impersonator apps appearing as top results.
• The change is part of a larger trend of 'ensheetification' or 'en-shitification' in the tech industry, where companies prioritize profits over user experience and quality.
• Some argue that the change is not a significant issue and that users are already accustomed to ads in the App Store.
• Others believe that the change is a sign of Apple's decline in prioritizing user experience and quality, and that the company is becoming more focused on extracting profits.
• The debate highlights the tension between corporate priorities and user needs, with some arguing that companies should prioritize profits and others arguing that they should prioritize user experience and quality.