Apple reportedly keeping app affiliate rate at 7%, dropping in-app purchase rate to 2.5%

Last month, Apple announced changes to its iTunes Affiliate program, saying that the rates that users would receive per app sale would fall. While at the time, it was stated that the app affiliate rate would be slashed from 7 percent to 2.5 percent, it appears now that might not actually be the case…

According to MacGamer HQ, Apple is reducing in-app iOS and Mac commission to 2.5 percent, but the rate for apps themselves, both iOS and Mac, will remain at 7 percent.

The report cites an email from iTunes Affiliate support, which breaks down the rates and clarifies that “only in-app commissions have changed.”

• iOS app commissions: 7 percent
• In-app iOS commissions: 2.5 percent
• Mac apps commissions: 7 percent
• In-app Mac commissions: 2.5 percent

Please note that only in-app commissions have changed.

Furthermore, lending credibility to today’s report, many iTunes Affiliate users have noticed the their rate didn’t actually fall to 2.5 percent and is still at 7 percent despite the new month.

This is an interesting and incredibly notable difference between what was originally expected. Apple caught many people off guard when it announced the affiliate rate changes with just one-week notice. It makes sense for Apple to cut in-app commission rates, seeing that many in-app purchases are subscriptions that renew monthly. Apple last year reduced its revenue share for subscription purchase from 80-30 to 85-15, and these affiliate rate changes align with that.

While some clarity from Apple would be nice, it seems like last month’s statement was largely misinterpreted and that app affiliate rates are staying at 7 percent, while in-app rates are dropping to 2.5 percent. If you’re an iTunes affiliate user, let us know what rates you’re seeing below. Personally, I’m still seeing 7 percent rates.

For comparison’s sake, here is the statement Apple put out last month regarding the affiliate rate change:

Starting on May 1st 2017, commissions for all app and in-app content will be reduced from 7% to 2.5% globally. All other content types (music, movies, books, and TV) will remain at the current 7% commission rate in all markets. We will also continue to pay affiliate commissions on Apple Music memberships so there are many ways to earn commissions with the program.