I think that, on the App Store, ads may be the least worse solution.

Currently, some developers try to get into your view by creating multiple similar apps, as that gets them screen space for free.

Given developers the ability to pay to have their app show above the sea of (almost) clones may revert that trend, as such developers would either have to pay for multiple adverts or to put all their money on one horse.

(It wouldn’t make the iOS App Store good, though. One thing it definitely also needs is clearer information on what features you get for free, what you can buy as add-on, and what requires a subscription)

Yeah. It’s hard for me to get worked up about ads in a store.