[jamesk_au]

The most interesting takeaway from this list for me was the revelation that developers can use iTunes affiliate links to reduce Apple's cut of their App Store revenue from 30% to 23% for certain purchases.[1] The affiliate gets a 7% commission for every purchase made within 24 hours on the same device from which the link was accessed.

(A cynic might think that could have been relevant to the decision to include as many as 50 apps on this "must-have" list.)

[1] https://www.macstories.net/tutorials/a-comprehensive-guide-t...

[mstolpm]

Regarding the 30% cut: iTunes gift cards are often available at a 15-20% discount, further reducing Apple's cut. That doesn't help the developer, but is an implicit marketing cost Apple is eating. Suppose the buyer used a 20% discounted gift card and is buying through an affiliate link, Apple operates at around 3% for that sale while the developer still gets 70% from the full price ... and most likely, the retail channel wants a cut from selling the gift cards as well.