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Subscription-based apps have become incredibly popular on iOS in recent years. TechCrunch today unveiled how "sneaky subscriptions" are weighing on some App Store offers. The report explores the various tactics employed by some developers to apparently cause users to accept the subscription rate to the App Store.
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In his research, TechCrunch discovered that the most commonly incriminated apps are some utilities, which offer features that are usually free but which are among the most profitable apps in the App Store.
One of these apps is simply called "Scanner App", which, according to SensorTower's data, brings in about $ 14.3 million a year through App Store subscription revenue:
Tap into the app and you will be constantly asked to sign up for a subscription ranging from $ 3.99 a week to $ 4.99 a month, or to start a free trial. But the subscription following the free trial comes into effect after 3 days only – something that is detailed in the fine print, but is often missing. Consumers clearly do not understand what they accept, based on their complaints. And many negative reviews indicate that customers feel they have been duped to pay.
Perhaps the most glaring alarm is Weather Alarms, an app that was removed from the App Store this weekend by Apple, after TechCrunch informed the company of its practices. The application used what is called a "dark scheme" to entice users to accept a free trial, which was then converted into a subscription of up to $ 20 per month.
Here it is in action:
This dark pattern is the best (stole full screen ads). The close button (x) animates after a few seconds so that users do not realize that they have the means to leave the page. Look at the top left of the subscription page: pic.twitter.com/DaRJPvdu5Q
– David Barnard (@drbarnard) April 17, 2018
As TechCrunch notes, many of these problems stem from the fact that consumers do not read the fine print, but many legitimate developers believe that this type of tactic degrades the quality of the entire App Store.
David Barnard, developer of Weather Atlas and Launch Center Pro, for example, says it is "incredibly frustrating" to see Apple do so little to prevent these scams:
"It's incredibly frustrating that little has been done to thwart these scams," he told TechCrunch. "This undermines trust in the App Store, ultimately hurting Apple and the conscientious developers who use subscriptions."
Readdle Vice President, Denys Zhadanov, echoed these comments stating, "I firmly believe that it is not the future that we should aspire to improve in terms of user experience ".
What do you think about these subscription tactics in the App Store? Let us know in the comments.
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