Apple eyes Google-style paid search model for App Store
Apple has enlisted a team to work on several updates for its App Store, including a paid search option that would allow developers to have their apps "more prominently displayed" within search results.
About 100 staff are thought to be working on the project, including engineers from Apple's iAd network.
The Google-like model would see companies pay a fee to have their app shown at the top of the pile based on what a customer is looking for, sources have told Bloomberg.
The move would let Apple tap into the growing budget of app developers like Angry Birds owner Rovio, providing another stream of revenue for the tech giant.
Apple vice-president Todd Teresi, who previously headed up iAd, which is no longer accepting new publishers as part of a scale back which will see it close in June, is believed to be leading the secret App Store project.
While Apple has yet to comment on the initiative, Bloomberg's sources have said that the team will also look to improve the way users browse the store, though its not been confirmed when the new changes will be implemented.