Sharing question: web map versus app

[MarieDawes]

Hello all. I manage the ArcGIS Online content for my organization (a local Public Works office). I've created several apps in the last year for our employees to use. One thing I've noticed is the web maps on which the apps are based almost always show higher usage (sometimes by a lot) than the apps. 

Because the web maps must have the same share settings as the apps, they show up in our organization content. I've built the apps with functionality the web maps don't have so I'd like to get people using them instead of the maps. Is there a way to restrict access to the web maps while allowing access to the apps?

I came across this article that provides a way to do what I want. The only difference is the reason I want to restrict access less about security than it is about forcing folks to use the app that was designed for the purpose.

The questions I have are: is there more to it? Have I missed something more obvious? How do other organizations handle this? Or is it something I shouldn't concern myself with? (Just FYI, most of our users are not very sophisticated with technology...which is why I'd like them using the apps).

[clt_cabq]

How and where are your staff accessing the maps and apps you've created? One thing I have seen is that a lot of people don't really understand or recognize the different between the two and just start opening things they find in a group they are getting them from. So, to get people to open just the apps, i filter the group so that only the apps that pull from maps and layers will appear in the Group overview page. This way they only see the apps I intend for them to use, and don't get lost in the chaff of the layers and maps are shared to that group. Your more 'sophisticated' users will know to go to the content and see the unfiltered list of stuff but by and large most people will just pick from what is initially shown to them in the featured content view.

[ChristopherCounsell]

Usage shows two things:

• When the map is opened
• When the map item details page is opened

There's a chance that the higher numbers reflect this.

Otherwise, no, you can't prevent users from opening the maps. You can turn them off in field maps/collector but not ArcGIS Online...

Savvy users will always be able to navigate the ArcGIS Online content search. You can just do your best to direct them to the right content. Some options:

• Use curated featured content in your groups
• Configure a Gallery for your org
• Put your best thumbnail forward and mark as authoritative.
• Use experience builder to create a web page linking directly to the web apps. More effort, but it means users bookmark one page and it's not the ArcGIS content interface.

I find the last option to be the best at the highest effort.