Google wants to remove intrusive ads in apps and games for Android

For many years Game Store It was no man’s land. Application clones, games that display indecipherable ads or malware are part of the experience that an Android user must endure. But this could change very soonthanks to an update to Google’s developer policy.

The company has announced a series of recommendations aimed at improving the user experience and security of those who download apps from the Play Store. new rules will prevent unexpected display of full-screen adsespecially in video games. Developers they will also not be able to deceive users by impersonating a third party. using icons, descriptions, or app names, and not using restricted permissions such as using an accurate alarm clock.

Politics will apply to new or already published apps and games on the Play Store.. Developers will have a 30-day grace period to make any necessary changes. Each guide has its own effective date, although Google has focused its efforts on the immediate solution of the most serious problems: ads and apps copy cat.

Goodbye intrusive ads in games and Play Store apps

To improve user experience, Google does not allow full-screen interstitial ads that appear unexpectedly.. This applies to static ads, videos, GIFs, or any format. Advertising cannot be displayed while playing, at the start of a level, or at the start of a content segment. Full screen video ads displaying in front of the android app loading screen.

Remember those annoying full-screen ads that can’t be closed after 15 seconds? It will also be limited. The only time game developers will be able to insert ads longer than 15 seconds is after the score screen, i.e. when you finish playing the level.

Standard Improved advertising experience for android consider some exceptions. Politics They will not apply to activities in which you agree to see ads in exchange for something.. For example, if you run out of lives in candy crush and you need to watch ads to get another chance, the game can display ads. Ads that do not interfere with the normal use of the app or game will also not be banned.such as banners or embedded video ads.

New recommendations effective from 30 September 2022. Here are some examples of ads you won’t see in the Play Store anymore.

Google Stops Identity Theft

The second major change concerns Android apps that use titles, descriptions, or icons that look like other apps to confuse the user. Google confirmed that will not support applications that mislead consumers by impersonating someone else.

Don’t imply that your application is associated with or authorized by someone if it isn’t. Be careful not to use icons, app descriptions, app titles, or in-app elements that can mislead users about your app’s association with another person or app.

As of August 31, 2022 apps and games cannot use icons or names that imply a connection with another company, legal entity, organization or developer. It will not be allowed to copy the company logo to confuse people, which is definitely will remove hundreds (or thousands) of apps that currently use similar icons. on Twitter, YouTube and other official apps.

Android apps will also not be able to assume that they are related to cryptocurrency sites, TV shows, or famous people if there is no link. Google has shared some examples of what not to do on the Play Console help website.

Other policy changes for Android apps and games

In addition to these two standards, Google has also announced that will not accept Android apps that promote health misinformation. This includes apps that make misleading claims about vaccines, promote unapproved treatments, or methods that are harmful to people, such as gay conversion therapy.

Developers won’t be able to use the exact alarm feature unless their app is an alarm clock, timer, or calendar that displays event notifications. They also won’t be able to provide alternatives to bypass FLAG_SECURE.. This operator prevents screen capture data from being written and is used by video applications in streaming.

Finally, developers offering in-app subscriptions must tell their users how to manage or cancel their subscription. Applications should include access to an easy online method to cancel a service.which can be found on the user account settings page.

New guidelines can be found on the Developer Help website. The ones marked with a yellow marker are updated last.