Alternate App Store storefronts

I'd like to build my own interface for the App Store and give it a new facade or veneer. I think it could use a fresh coat of paint, some new staff and management practices. Oh, and a new algorithm.

First off, my apps will be on the home page all day, every day. That's it, no algorithm, nothing. Just my apps. This will maximise my satisfaction with the service and alleviate consumer complaints that the algorithm is nonsense.

No algorithm, no problems.

- Jake Nelson

In all seriousness, though, I can think of loads of ways to further refine the search results.

Imagine if you could filter by ratings, reviews, review sentiment, recency of updates, full-text search for features and more.

Turn on or off expanding your search to be a fuzzy match or include synonyms, include text in reviews and the description or exclude it, and filter out results based on privacy details.

Wouldn't that be amazing?

FAQ's

Is this legal?

I don't know, but I hope so. I'd really like to build this so if anyone who is a lawyer can give me some advice that would be splendid. There are a lot of sites that seem to scrape the App Store, but then the Terms and Conditions on the Apple site seem to say you can't do this. It is all a little too wordy for me to be certain.

Is your App Store Directory going to be the only one?

Golly no. That would defeat the point! If you don't like my store(front), then use another. All the benefits of App Store review and curation^[1], but with interchangeable algorithms. Of course, you should just use mine as it will be the best.

How do you make money?

No idea. Ads? Maybe? Similar to the current App Store search ads. Oh, and increased purchases of my own apps, given their permanent features. Kinda like the Centr app by Chris Hemsworth is currently receiving on the App Store. There is no need for me to link it, just open the App Store and scroll. It will be a few down if it is somehow not the top feature.^[2]

Does this solve sideloading and anticompetitive issues?

No, not at all. This would be an alternative way to search for Apple's App Store apps.

This sounds great! What do you need to make this happen?

An API and permission from Apple ideally, and that's about it!

Conclusion

Apple, you have my number. Call me, and we can discuss it.

Photo by Artem Gavrysh on Unsplash