AppleSearchingAds: Why 'iad_attribution' is always 'true' for dev build?

Question

We're implementing Searching Ads attribution to the build to detect all users which installed the app by clicking Searching Ad from the Apple.

During testing, I have two problems which I cannot understand: - case 1: I installed the build from Hockeyapp on the device where the user's never opened AppleSearch Ad >> the ads attribution API sent me 'iad_attribution': true parameter - I expect that the parameter should be 'false'

• case 2: I installed the same build on the device where the user's clicked on Search Ad 4 day before >> I receive parameters: 'iad_click_date = iad_conversion_date' which has the same value.
• I expect that the parameters should be 'iad_click_date = 4 day before date & 'iad_conversion_date' = the current date

So, have you ever have the same problem? Maybe you know how it can be tested more effective? Or Apple always sent 'iad_attribution': true for not-published builds?

Answer 1

For testing purposes, the AdClient framework always returns true for iad_attribution along with a set of dummy data.

You cannot disable this.

In production however, you will get false without data if the user has not clicked a Search Ads ad within the 30 days leading up to downloading your application.

The AdClient framework is not documented well, so I understand your confusion.