In-app third party e-commerce sites, affiliate marketing

Question

Created Oct ’16

Replies 2

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Is it acceptable to allow users to view third-party company websites, where users can then purchase directly from those companies' sites, in-app (rather than kicking user off app and to Safari)? In other words, is it o.k. to have affiliate marketing in-app? For example, we show users curated list of specific businesses, provide editorial content, users can click an affiliate link to go to companies' mobile websites in-app (not Safari), user can either press back to navigate back to app or buy something from company while on the company's mobile site.

This is not expressly disallowed in App Store terms on in-app purchasing, but it's not explicitly authorized either.

Thanks for any help!

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Answer 1

KMT OP

Oct ’16

'in app' is where the confusion comes from in these cases, I think. 'in app' vs. inside the app vs. IAP, where 'in app' might be dev slang for InAppPurchase?

What's not allowed is for the 3rd party transaction sausage making to occur 'inside the app' via IAP. The user might think they are inside the app the whole time, but the purchase takes place outside, with the details displayed in the app to make the process appear seamless. As well, Apple doesn't want the user to think they are involved in the purchase quality, delivery, warrantee, etc. It needs to be clear which vendor the user is dealing with.

I think Apple keeps it vague so they have a review loop hole they can open/close depending on - some vendors are competitors, and Apple doesn't appreciate their ecosystem being used by others for free 😉

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Answer 2

PBK OP

Oct ’16

Let's assume that what is being bought does not unlock functionality within the app. If so, the guidelines use to be ambiguous as to whether or not you could embed purchase software in the app. It depended upon which term in a poorly worded guideline was being referenced by another term in the same sentence. I believe the revised guidelines are now silent on the matter.

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