Do people actually use the app store? Are we not all just searching in spotlight and clicking the first app that comes up (as long as it has 100K/1mil+ downloads) ?

>it probably helps increase click-through rates which ultimately boosts Apple’s revenue in its ads business

I assume that means it increases the number of times users install the wrong app (possibly with serious consequences)?

I find that's the case already. They also force you to go through their ad-splattered gauntlet, every time you reopen the app.

It's pretty much worthless, to me. I always use direct app links, from the developers' sites.

I shudder to think of it getting worse.

Oh, so the Google playstore since... forever. Or at least as long as I can remember. If you have a "search" feature on your <anything app> it should filter down to exactly what you would expect, no sponsored positions, no irrelevant apps as ads, etc.

Shame apple is going towards the dark pattern of ads as results.

If an iPhone is going to be as bad as an Android like that then what's the point. The "premium" feeling is eroded like this.

Not obvious to me that this is worse or as user-hostile as many seem to presume.

Previously the blue background made the ad result look more highlighted and more prominent.

Now it is just like the other results - not special or better.

Yes, the HN audience knows the visual convention indicates that the blue background represents an ad. Does your everyday user know that or do they assume the blue results are better?

This will always be a thing, the click metrics dictate it and to justify the costs to the company advertising and the low # of clicks, something has to be done to save the new revenue Ads give. They might as well add modal (psudeo popup) ads, because they will be there in 15yrs.

Feels short sighted. Every such change gets me closer to ditching the ecosystem altogether.

En-something-ification…