AppGratis, a popular app that used a variety of techniques to promote other apps, has been pulled from the App Store for violating Apple's guidelines. Specifically, clauses 2.25 and 5.6, according to AllThingsD:
2.25 Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected.
5.6 Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind.
AppGratis is definitely not the only app available in the App Store that provides recommendations for apps on a paid basis. It's also not the only app shopping app that's been removed in recent months. AppGratis just received a large round of funding so this is no doubt a huge issue for them going forward. Once again, some clarity and consistency from Apple on just what exactly they want to avoid would be welcome.
Did any of you use AppGratis? Did their promotion cause any confusion or cross any lines for you?
Source: AllThingsD
