'Net Features : itunes

Bypassing Apple's Rejection of UDID Apps

Michael Garrity — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Just a few weeks ago, Apple came out and said it was going to reject iOS applications that access the host device’s Unique Device Identifier (UDID) code. This makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for developers to test and track their applications.

UDID codes are also used to help marketers target ads, which helps improve payouts for developers. Basically, this is a major inconvenience for developers who want to sell their apps in the App Store (and make some money off of them).

Though little can be done about it, there are some solutions out there that can help ease some of the strain, one of which is the LeadBolt Visitor Match tracking feature that the mobile advertising company released last October.

Visitor Match, which was built to work across a wide range of platforms, including the Android and iTunes app stores, gives advertisers a way to automatically track mobile conversions in a quick and convenient manner with highly accurate results. According to LeadBolt, the Visitor Match algorithm is able to produce a 98.7-percent accuracy rate for server-side and other conversion pixel events.

Most importantly, Visitor Match is able to track conversions even if a UDID is not present, which really helps set the feature apart and gives LeadBolt users a leg up now that Apple has completely rejected UDID-based apps.

In addition, LeadBolt just made available its iPhone advertiser software development kit (SDK) in a non-UDID version, which should also help users adjust to Apple’s recent changes.

App Publishing Made Easier

Michael Garrity — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Why didn't anyone think of this before?

After working at Apple for three years, Paul Canetti left to work on a series that would train businesses on iOS development. He's since turned his attention to MagAppZine, a new service that he co-founded that will make it much easier for users to publish content on the iTunes App Store.

MagAppZine's makeup is relatively simple, it is a white label, do-it-yourself platform that, as of now, is limited to allowing users to upload PDFs, make website viewing available in an in-app browser and let users offer in-app sales of multiple issues of any publication.

What really makes it a great service, however, is its simplicity and accessibility. The service began just last spring with the goal of evening the playing field for online app publishing, mimicking the strengths of blogging on the Web in an application-driven era.

Having your content available in the App Store means that your work is published on the world's most famous destination for applications, and with the total dominance of the iPad in the tablet market, that's a pretty good place to be. iTunes provides you with a central location for consumers to search for your app, download it, read reviews from other users and discover related materials.

The company is expected to roll out a new pricing schedule in September that starts at $99 per month, thanks in part to the soon-to-be released MagAppZine 2.0.

"Our most basic app package launched in April of this year," says Canetti, "But in September we are re-launching MagAppZine 2.0, which will include the new links and multimedia, an InDesign tool, and integration with Apple's upcoming Newsstand feature. We're also rolling out a new tiered monthly pricing structure that has plans starting at $99 a month."

While this product obviously hasn't reached its fullest potential yet, MagAppZine 2.0 sounds like it is going to be a very big step in the right direction. Those who have simple, print-based content that you want to get distributed to a larger audience (retail catalogs, perhaps?) should certainly consider application publishing, and as of now, MagAppZine seems to have that niche covered.

What Google's Farmer Update Means to Your Business

Mike Phillips — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:10:00 GMT

Google announced what may ultimately be one of the biggest changes to their algorithm yet.

From the Official Google Blog: "Many of the changes we make are so subtle that very few people notice them. But in the last day or so we launched a pretty big algorithmic improvement to our ranking—a change that noticeably impacts 11.8% of our queries—and we wanted to let people know what’s going on. This update is designed to reduce rankings for low-quality sites—sites which are low-value add for users, copy content from other websites or sites that are just not very useful."

Notice the language being used. Specifically, "...reduce rankings for low-quality sites..." That means it's not only individual posts or pieces of content will be penalized for being deemed "low-quality" but entire websites. The announcement also mentions "low-value add for users" and sites that "copy content from other websites." The target? Content farms, to start. These sites exist and profit based on volume. The more content produced (often for a pittance) the better they do – or did.

To most observers and users, this focus on volume resulted in millions of low-quality pieces of content cluttering the search engine results pages (SERPs). The writers producing content for these content farms are paid largely based on views. No indexing in Google, no views. No views, no pay. No pay, no writers ... and no content.

Sites such as Yahoo Contributor Network and those of Demand Media (including eHow) fit the bill, to be sure. But one must wonder if others sites such as Examiner.com or pure user-contributor sites such as Yahoo Answers will also be affected. (Read Website Magazine's in-depth review of Yahoo Contributor Network.)

The update will also impact Bing and every other search engine. Simply put, if Google's results get better in the eyes of users, Bing and the others cannot afford to be viewed as having inferior results.

Without question, the focus is now on producing original, quality content. So-called scraper sites are doomed. But even bloggers need to be careful about posting content that could be considered "low-quality" or that which could be viewed as being a simple re-publishing of existing content. In other words, if you don't have anything original to say about an existing story ... be careful. Now more than ever, the focus seems to be shifting toward quality, not necessarily quantity.

In all, this update should be a good thing for the Web – both for users and those who work tirelessly to produce quality content.

The first priority for every business is to keep a constant watch on your analytics. Are your numbers slipping for keywords of which your site previously ranked highly? Are overall numbers dropping? Hopefully not. But there are some things that can be done to ensure your traffic does not suffer.

Be aggressive about building your user base. Search is powerful but it’s not the only way to ensure visitors to your website. Build a strong following on social networks and work hard to increase email sign-ups and newsletter subscribers.

Solicit quality inbound links. High-quality links will remain a pivotal factor in search engine rankings. Be diligent about networking with like-minded content producers and work to get links – quality links, including those with keyword-rich anchor text. In no way is it recommended to purchase links.

Produce varied forms of content. Search engines like a little variety. In addition to a company blog, consider producing video for a YouTube channel, a photo log on Flickr, or a podcast on iTunes.

Hire a good writer. This public call for quality content might warrant the hiring of a skilled writer for some businesses. Well-written, compelling content tends to attract links, garner social mentions and spread through online communities. Remember that today's skilled writer also knows how to create SEO-friendly content.

WM Radio: Affordable Market Research, Apple's Big News

Mike Phillips — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:15:00 GMT

Apple made some announcements today, some of which is addressed on this week's edition of Website Magazine Radio. Also, we talk with Lev Mazin, CEO of AskYourTargetMarket.com, a nice tool to conduct market research at an affordable price. Finally, we address our reader question of the week about how to get your organization noticed - for free.

Listen now, and subcribe to Website Magazine Radio in iTunes!

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If you would like to have your questions answered on Website Magazine Radio, please send email to mike@websitemagazine.com with "WM Radio" in the subject field.