Either Apple is testing a pretty big update that changes how apps are ranked on the App Store, or the store has been plagued by a pretty serious bug. Or a very large number of people have suddenly started using a number of smaller, paid apps. The last option is pretty unlikely and the change, which involves small apps jumping to the top of App Store rankings, appears to have been brought on by either an algorithm change, or a bug.
The issue was spotted on Friday and appears to be affecting merely the top grossing applications. Other categories, like “Top Free” or “Top Paid” apps, appeared to be unaffected by whatever was the cause of this sudden change. The problem was firs spotted when a developer noted that their app had dropped from the 2nd position on the app store to the 35th. And on the 2nd position, nestled between Pokemon Go and Tinder, was The Official DVSA Theory Test Kit for Car Drivers. Yup. The other applications in the top 10 appeared to be normal.
One could say that it appeared that the algorithm was now facoring paid applications over those that involved in-app purchases. Although why that should impact top grossing, is something that beats me. After all, I seriously can’t imagine the The Official DVSA Theory Test Kit for Car Drivers grossing better than Tinder under normal circumstances.
The change was also reflected further down the line. Meanwhile, various experts are speculating that Apple could be experimenting with a brand new algorithm that would involve laying more focus on paid apps instead of those that earned revenue by using subscriptions or in-app purchases. Possible.
Apple could be making these changes — if this is due to algorithm change — for several reasons. Opening subscriptions has led to a top apps list that is pretty much the same. Sure, apps do shift around among themselves but that is pretty much it. This algorithm change could have been aimed towards shaking things up and introducing some fresh applications into the charts as well. Meanwhile, the chart also appeared to consider only new and first-time subscriptions — and not renewals.
Meanwhile, whatever the reason — things returned to normal on Monday. However, unless it was a bug which is unlikely, Apple appears to have some major changes on its mind with regards to how applications are ranked.
