Microsoft has been working quite a bit on improving the Dev Center throughout 2015 and 2016 and during this year’s Build opening keynote, Satya Nadella and Terry Myerson revealed exactly what changes and new features would be coming in the near future, with a big focus being increasing app revenue for developers. Here are the noteworthy changes launching today or coming later in 2016.
- Microsoft will be granting developers the ability to earn revenue from Facebook ads in their Windows Store apps by the end of 2016 through the introduction of App Install Ads and FAN SDK which Facebook will directly supply. In regards to Microsoft Advertising, support has now been added for apps written in C#, C++, and VB.
- Microsoft will also be introducing a new Microsoft Store Engagement and Monetization SDK (Store SDK) for developers to use. This SDK is a combination of new services and the existing Microsoft Advertising SDK and is intended to be used with the new Unified Windows Platform apps. Some of the services included at launch will be app feedback and A/B testing with more coming at a later date.
- The recently launched Microsoft Affiliate Program has been given four new tools for developers to make use of; a link builder, an enterprise data feed, a top content data feed, and a group of pre-generated banners. Developers can earn up to 7% for digital content and up to 10% on hardware sales through the Microsoft Affiliate Program which makes it a legitimate source of income, especially for apps such as Spotify which can direct users to a digital storefront to buy music. Affiliate ads are also now available for developers to implement.
- The Windows Store for Business storefront has now expanded to 45 different markets starting from today. This feature is used for businesses to distribute private apps for use by employees.
- Developer payouts can now also be put on hold if the developer chooses.
Are you excited to see these changes or is there something else you feel Microsoft needs to do? Let us know in the comments below.
