I run Yappler.com, an iPhone App Directory. To build the website I had to create program which spiders iTunes data nightly. Digging through that data gives me a unique insight into what Apple does. I can compile stats on how app growth is doing and keep tabs on what their internal markup looks like (I get alerted quickly because any change affects my spider).
This past week Apple made a big change to their app URL structure. They went from a cryptic URL to a more SEO friendly one. When they first built the App Store it looked like it was mostly a patch job extending the existing music structure. App category links were titled with GenreId’s and the apps were missing features like forcing a user to download the app before being allowed to comment on it. Over the past year Apple has been working hard to make a more defined split between music and app content. Apps now have comments relating to specific versions, users must have downloaded the app before being allowed to comment and now the URL structure has broken completely free.
Old URL: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=313629621&mt=8
New URL: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/keith-and-the-girl/id313629621?mt=8
Even though the initial iTunes music infrastructure wasn’t a perfect match, it’s understandable that Apple first used it to roll out the App Store. It’s great to see that they didn’t stop and are constantly making tweaks to the code (even if it means more work for me updating my spider). Though one of the bitter sweet moments will be when Apple finally copies the App Store completely to the web. It’ll make it harder for my site to be successful but it’ll be what’s best for the end user.
