Report: Apple developing exclusive iTunes purchase tracking for iAds

TechCrunch has the word that Apple may be implementing a "VIP" ad program within its upcoming iAd service. An email reportedly sent from a Quattro sales representative mentions a "Verification of iTunes Purchase" program, in which an advertiser for a certain app would be able to see his or her users' iTunes purchases, and deliver ads based on that information. Quattro is the mobile ad company purchased by Apple a while back, and presumably the division overseeing iAds.

That verification process would allow app creators to not only know which of their customers has already bought other apps of theirs, but it would enable them to only show you ads for apps you haven't yet purchased. In Flick Baseball Pro, for example, you wouldn't see ads for Flick Fishing if you'd already bought it from the store.

That might give Apple the advantage against other ad programs on the App Store, and even if not, it would let them charge a premium price. Since everyone else is guessing at iTunes sales data, Apple would actually be able to deliver real numbers for iTunes purchases, and help app developers target app ads.

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Source: http://techcrunch.com/2010/05/05/apple-vip-ad/

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TechCrunch has the word that Apple may be implementing a "VIP" ad program within its upcoming iAd service. An email reportedly sent from a...

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TIm

I do actually smell a pretty bad lawsuit coming Apples way if they implement iAd that way. Different to all the anti-competitive app store business, which is legally a US thing, this app store purchases are subject to the local laws. At least here in the EU they can't simply sell your personal data they acquired through processing your purchase.

T.

May 07 2010 at 9:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

studio

Well, at least we are getting closer to the "big plan" finally! iAds, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, iTunes and finally iWorld. Ah, yes, it is ALL starting to make sense.

iLoL

May 07 2010 at 12:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

David

Will we be able to "opt out" of this? I'm not a fan of this facebookesque privacy avenue in order to give companies eyes into what I'm buying in order to get targeted ads, which I'm not a fan of in the first place or ever click on. Am I the only own who fears the iPhone and iPad are going to become pocketable billboards?!?

May 06 2010 at 8:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Marco

that ad looks just as fake as it is ugly. do they expect me to believe that thats apples official dev announcement?

May 06 2010 at 8:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris K

Outrageous. Apple will essentially tell other companies what I'm buying. This is a hostile practice from Facebook, not to mention Apple, of whom I'm a PAYING CUSTOMER.

Since the iPhone was announced, Apple has gotten progressively more hostile towards its users. What ever happened to the company I used to trust to produce great products and stay out of users' business? Doesn't Apple see that if its products turn to junk, the customers they gained since the iPod and Intel Mac days will bail on them for better products? People don't love Apple, people love great products.

I bailed on Windows due to activation and Windows Genuine. Apple has become much worse than Microsoft since launching the iPhone. Is it really time for me to jump ship to Android? Is Apple going to be the "IBM PC" of the smartphone market? A driver of the platform, but ultimately defeated by horrible management fostering customer resentment?

May 06 2010 at 7:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Chris K's comment

ch0rx

I don't see what the big issue is, honestly. It's not like they're going to say "you@email.com 'John Doe' (cell phone number) purchased xxxx" It's most likely going to be something like "Device ID xxxxx purchased xxxxx" I highly doubt Apple will sell anything that would affect you in any way to advertisers, you have to think of what a bad PR move that is.

May 07 2010 at 10:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

That's nice. It would be nice if I could track my own purchases in iTunes easily and see what the total amount of money I've spent.

May 06 2010 at 6:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

3 replies to pp's comment

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