Price comparison service Pricetree contacted us earlier today, illustrating why going app-only is risky for a business: what if an application store bans you? Pricetree received an email from Google Play, indicating that they've been suspended because they're using an alleged spam keyword. @medianama @ETtech PriceTree app removed from play store over comparison shopping keyword in title #AppOnlyFails pic.twitter.com/EyNjUkh221 — Pricetree.com (@price_tree) July 30, 2015 Pricetree's app has been reinstated, according to the company. We have contacted Google for comments, and will update in case they respond, but it still does highlight a few important things, which MediaNama readers should bear in mind: 1. The apps ecosystem is less open than the web: the two primary app stores, of Apple and Google are likely to be the source of a majority of your installs, with Google dominating the Android store install base (dare we say, "monopoly", given the CCI investigation into Google?), and Apple for iOS. Despite the presence of other app stores, a majority of your eggs are in these baskets. Even if you're not going app only, it's important to look for other means of achieving a wider install base - whether through partnerships with handset manufacturers, or via third party app stores. In the same vein, publishers need to ensure that their news consumption isn't only happening via social media, or one social media platform. Diversify your distribution and your risk. Also read: On Myntra going app only, shutting down web based services 2. Google is run by bots,…
