Apple Testing App Store Search Ad Design That Makes Ads Less Distinctive
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ksec
4mo ago· 2 min readenNews
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Summary
Apple is testing a new App Store search ad design on iOS 26.3 that removes the blue background around sponsored results, making paid ads visually similar to organic search results. The only remaining differentiator is a small 'Ad' banner next to app icons. The change appears to be in A/B testing phase, and Apple has been asked for clarification on whether this will roll out more widely.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledApple is testing a new design for App Store search ads on iPhone.
Some users on iOS 26.3 are noticing that the blue background around sponsored results is no longer shown, blurring the line between what paid ad results look like and the real search results that follow.
This means the only differentiator between organic results and the promoted ad is the presence of the small 'Ad' banner next to the app icon.
Right now, it appears to be in some kind of A/B test phase.
We have asked Apple for clarity on the change, and whether this will roll out more widely in the future.
Apple is testing a new design for App Store search ads on iPhone. Some users on iOS 26.3 are noticing...
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