Apple Pulls iAds From Kid-Focused Apps as Advertisers Target Efforts

MacStories posted a message from one App Store developer who recently saw the iAd fill rate for his Dex application for iOS drop to zero. He asked Apple and received the following answer:

We periodically review the apps in the iAd Network to ensure that all apps receiving ads are aligned with the needs of our advertisers. Currently, our advertisers prefer that their advertising not appear in applications that are targeted for users that are young children, since their products are not targeted at that audience.

It is unclear whether the policy is a new one or if Dex had simply not been categorized as a kids app for iAd purposes until just last week, but the development does call into question of the viability of the iAd-supported business model for kids-focused apps given the low likelihood of companies seeking to target that market.