Microsoft Gives App Devs A Bigger Cut Of Revenue Via Microsoft Store

Microsoft has announced an update to the revenue sharing deal it has with developers of apps that are offered via the Microsoft Store. The updated Microsoft Store App Developer agreement allows develops to keep more of the revenue their apps generate if certain conditions are met. The new fee structure will put up to 95% of the revenue that apps sold on the store generates into the pocket of the devs. One of the caveats is that to get the 95% revenue split; developers must implement referring traffic URLs with a CID.

Sales that result from other methods with urls featuring an OCID, such as when an app is found in a Microsoft Store collection, via Microsoft Store search, or via other Microsoft-owned properties, the devs will get 85% of the revenue from that purchase. If a sale results with no CID or OCID attached, the developers get 95% of the revenue from the store. The new revenue split applies to app purchases made on Windows 10 PC, Windows Mixed Reality, Windows 10 Mobile, and Surface Hub devices.

Specifically excluded from the new revenue split are all games and any purchases via Xbox consoles. Microsoft's revenue split for games remains at the old 70/30 split. The new revenue split should be happily accepted by developers who are keen to get a bigger cut of the profits from their work. Apple's fees have angered developers, and Steam has found that taking too much of the money a developer makes on your digital store can result in new competition. Microsoft has been working to improve its app store ecosystem, last summer it enabled remote app installs with Windows 10.