Apple has added persistent 'ads' to iOS, and it's driving users crazy
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Apple's persistent App Store ads frustrate users and small developers.
Apple has added persistent ads to iOS, particularly in App Store search results, where users see full-screen ads before search results. Small developers report that searching for their exact app name shows competitors' ads, making their apps harder to find. Users complain of irrelevant ads (e.g., Temu) with no "don't show this ad again" button. The trend troubles long-time iPhone users, who also note bloat in native apps and iCloud designs that push paid plans.
What commenters are saying
Commenters are overwhelmingly frustrated. Small developers share specific grievances: search ads push their apps far down results, even for exact name searches (e.g., "Bit" or "Unscramble!"). Some users now bypass App Store search entirely, using web searches. A camp splits on macOS vs. Windows intuitiveness, with one noting macOS has unintuitive quirks (traffic light buttons, drag-drop app installation). Another counters that these are simply different paradigms, not inherently broken.
Sentiment suggests growing disillusionment with Apple's ecosystem, with some considering Android or Linux alternatives.