Since Apple began requiring apps to get user permission to track them, Branch Metrics found that less than 33 percent of iOS users opted in. Ad prices aimed at iOS users have fallen and those aimed at Android users have risen, which the digital ad community warned Apple about. Now, ad buyers are deploying iOS ad spending in less targeted ways and the lack of user data also reduces the efficacy of Facebook’s ad-targeting tools. Apple only sells ads in a few of its apps and doesn’t take a cut of third-party iOS app revenue. Continue reading Less Than One-Third of iOS Users Opt In to Tracking by Apps

Two weeks ago, as part of the iOS 14.5 update, Apple instituted its App Tracking Transparency feature which requires apps to ask users’ permission to be tracked. So far, an estimated 13 percent to 40 percent of users are agreeing to that proposition, and some Facebook advertisers revealed their ad campaigns are being negatively impacted by losing access to users’ Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA). In addition, ad buyers revealed they are having problems with Facebook’s advertising tools including Ads Manager and Audience Network. Continue reading Early Results of Apple’s App Tracking Transparency Roll-Out

Apple released an iPhone software update, iOS 14.5, that includes the privacy tool App Tracking Transparency, intended to give users more control over how their data is shared. Now, when an app wants to share information about a user’s activities, a window will pop up asking for permission to do so. Privacy advocates are rejoicing, but many digital advertisers are declaring the tool harmful to small businesses. Facebook is chief among them, although the privacy setting is also likely to hurt its business as well. Continue reading Apple Debuts App Tracking Transparency with Its iOS Update