Ads added to order tracking app complaint Shopify
← ideas · all clusters · Brief as markdown
The problem
A tracking app added ads on every page after an update, dropping its no-ads promise. Users find it cluttered, some see scam-like ads or wrong tracking, and many are uninstalling with no paid way to remove the ads.
- Reviewer is annoyed by ads added to AfterShip, says a second banner appeared and may slow tracking updates, and is phasing the app out. apple 2026-10-09
- Author is angry that AfterShip added ads again after advertising itself as ad-free, and will delete the app unless the ads are removed. apple 2026-10-09
- Long-time user is dropping AfterShip because ads now appear throughout the app, with no paid option to remove them. apple 2026-09-29
- Reviewer likes AfterShip but gives 1 star because of ads, and says they would pay to remove them. apple 2026-09-28
Who has it
Long-time users of the AfterShip app, most tagged as merchants. Business size is not stated. One line says the app is shown to a merchant's clients.
What they do today- Uninstall the app and look for an ad-free tracker
- Move to the Packages app
- Avoid updating (one reviewer warns others not to)
Would they pay? strong
Line 2: "$2-$5USD one-time payment for ad-free"; line 7: "a couple bucks a year"; lines 9, 12 and 28 ask for a fee or say they would pay to remove ads.
Pain ●●●○○
Pay ●●○○○
Gap ●●○○○
Build ●●●●○
Idea: Ad-Free Tracker
A clean package tracking app with no ads, sold for a small one-time fee, for people leaving ad-filled trackers.
Smallest version- Add tracking numbers and show current status
- Push notification on each status change
- One-time purchase, no ads anywhere
Promises no ads and charges a small one-time fee, the option reviewers say is missing.
Tools people use instead
- Packages One reviewer is moving to it; the lines state no gap
Risks
- The vendor could add a cheap paid ad-free tier or remove the ads, which would end the complaint.
- Willingness to pay is only a few dollars, so revenue per user is very small.
- Reviews look like consumer app-store feedback; unclear how many are real Shopify merchants, and Packages already exists.
Test it this week
- Post in Shopify merchant forums and subreddits asking which tracker people moved to after the ads, and what they would pay.
- Put up a landing page for a $3 one-time ad-free tracker with a waitlist and see how many sign up.
- Read the Packages app's reviews to find what its users complain about, to spot a gap.
Shopify merchants who use AfterShip are angry about new ads in the app and on tracking pages, and they want the ads removed or are switching to another tracker.
Numbers
30
unique authors
30
posts
2.7
avg severity
10
plan to switch
new
last 28d vs before
Who
- merchant (23)
What they do today
- compares with and is moving to the Packages app
- uninstalled the app and looks for another without ads
Price hints
- $2-$5USD one-time payment for ad-free
- a couple bucks a year
Tools they complain about
- AfterShip (30)
Alternatives they name
- Packages (1)
Posts per week
| Week of | Posts |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-05 | 14 |
| 2026-09-28 | 16 |
Evidence
| Date | Role | Sev | Summary | Today / price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-09 | merchant | 4 | Reviewer is annoyed by ads added to AfterShip, says a second banner appeared and may slow tracking updates, and is phasing the app out. AfterShip hbmyke7 · names Packages | compares with and is moving to the Packages app | apple |
| 2026-10-09 | merchant | 4 | Author is angry that AfterShip added ads again after advertising itself as ad-free, and will delete the app unless the ads are removed. AfterShip M. N | $2-$5USD one-time payment for ad-free | apple |
| 2026-10-08 | merchant | 4 | Author is unhappy that AfterShip shows two separate ad displays and is deleting the app. AfterShip Monkeyrumen | apple | |
| 2026-10-02 | merchant | 4 | Author says AfterShip became useless after ads were added, cannot pay to remove them, and plans to switch to a less abusive product. AfterShip DesignatedDriver | apple | |
| 2026-10-01 | merchant | 4 | Long-time AfterShip user is unhappy about ads appearing throughout the app and is now looking for a replacement tracker. AfterShip tsix14 | apple | |
| 2026-09-30 | merchant | 4 | Author says AfterShip tracking pages now display scam-like ads such as 'Win $400+' and 'Claim your $20', and has uninstalled the app after years of use. AfterShip KNFGPSITA | apple | |
| 2026-09-29 | merchant | 4 | Long-time user is dropping AfterShip because ads now appear throughout the app, with no paid option to remove them. AfterShip Al_bundy_ugh | a couple bucks a year | apple |
| 2026-10-09 | merchant | 3 | Author liked AfterShip for tracking shipments, but the newly added ads make them think they will need to find a replacement app. AfterShip J L125 | apple | |
| 2026-10-07 | merchant | 3 | Reviewer is angry that AfterShip added ads, wants them removed or a one-time fee to remove them, and says the app's quality dropped sharply. AfterShip Bdmw69 | apple | |
| 2026-10-07 | 3 | Author gave AfterShip 1 star because it cannot track Amazon orders and shows constant ads, calling it worthless for heavy Amazon buyers. AfterShip Geaux Tigers#1 | apple | ||
| 2026-10-02 | merchant | 3 | Reviewer says AfterShip's tracking map has not shown for a week, only a dot in Oklahoma, and the app is worse than before. AfterShip User disapointment | apple | |
| 2026-09-29 | merchant | 3 | Author says a recent AfterShip update added ads to every page and would pay the developers to remove them. AfterShip CityOf | apple | |
| 2026-09-29 | merchant | 3 | Reviewer says AfterShip recently added ads to the app and advises merchants to look elsewhere for order tracking. AfterShip jonathan3579 | apple | |
| 2026-09-28 | 3 | Reviewer says AfterShip added ads to the app despite its listing promising none, then removed the 'no ads' line from the App Store description. AfterShip Gongoozler4 | apple | ||
| 2026-09-28 | merchant | 3 | Author liked the app until ads were added, cannot pay to remove them, and uninstalled it, planning to find an ad-free alternative. AfterShip AfterShip fans | uninstalled the app and looks for another without ads | apple |
| 2026-10-10 | merchant | 2 | Long-time user gives 1 star because AfterShip now shows persistent ads that make the app look ugly, though it still functions. AfterShip CUTitOUT305 | apple | |
| 2026-10-10 | merchant | 2 | Long-time user of AfterShip is unhappy that new ads appear in the app and finds them invasive. AfterShip SpoonFed1 | apple | |
| 2026-10-09 | merchant | 2 | Reviewer says AfterShip was good but ads ruined it, giving 1 star. AfterShip JP-2269 | apple | |
| 2026-10-09 | merchant | 2 | Reviewer gives AfterShip 1 star, calling the newest version of the app adware trash without giving specifics. AfterShip messeng3rs | apple | |
| 2026-10-09 | 2 | Reviewer likes the AfterShip app but gives 1 star because of the ads it shows and asks for them to be removed. AfterShip Laser123 | apple | ||
| 2026-10-09 | merchant | 2 | Reviewer says the AfterShip app is filled with ads, and warns against its shipping service because it sends clients to the ad-heavy app. AfterShip Incorrect Username | apple | |
| 2026-10-08 | 2 | Author gives AfterShip 1 star and says its ads break everything, with no further detail. AfterShip methyLPARABEX | apple | ||
| 2026-10-08 | 2 | Reviewer says AfterShip was great until ads were added, which have ruined the user experience. AfterShip mmb1225 | apple | ||
| 2026-10-02 | merchant | 2 | Author says AfterShip became inaccurate and shows ads after an update, and warns others not to update. AfterShip katt331 | apple | |
| 2026-10-01 | merchant | 2 | Author says AfterShip was a great app until ads were added everywhere, which ruined it; the review is cut off. AfterShip edogie | apple | |
| 2026-09-30 | 2 | Reviewer says AfterShip was great for years but now shows ads, which they blame on developer greed. AfterShip Anotherappstoreuserrrr | apple | ||
| 2026-09-30 | merchant | 2 | Reviewer gives AfterShip 1 star because intrusive 4-step ads clutter and ruin the app's UI, despite calling it otherwise a great app. AfterShip dl97ag | apple | |
| 2026-09-28 | merchant | 2 | Reviewer likes AfterShip but gives 1 star because of ads, and says they would pay to remove them. AfterShip phwixx | apple | |
| 2026-09-28 | 2 | Author says AfterShip misreads Amazon tracking data, showing delivered packages as still in transit. AfterShip WickedVisage | apple | ||
| 2026-09-28 | merchant | 2 | Reviewer says AfterShip used to be great but now shows advertisements, and gave it 1 star. AfterShip Waterpilot | apple |