Google wants to eliminate intrusive ads on Android

for many years Play Store It was a no-man’s land. clone appgames that are displayed random ads Or malware is part of the experience that an Android user has to bear. But It could change very soonThanks to the Google Developer Policies update.

company announced a set of guidelines which seeks to improve user experience and security for those who download apps from the Play Store. The New rules will prevent ads from being shown in full screen unexpectedlyEspecially in video games. Developers They will not be able to deceive users by impersonating a third party Using icons, descriptions or titles of apps, as well as not using restricted permissions like using subtle alarm.

Politics It will apply to apps and games that are new or already published in the Play Store. Developers will have a 30-day grace period to make any necessary modifications. Each guiding principle has a different effective history, though Google focused its efforts on solving the most serious problems immediately: ads and apps cat copy.

No intrusive ads in Play Store games and apps

to improve the user experience, Google will not allow full-screen interstitial ads to appear unexpectedly. This will apply to static ads, videos, GIFs, or any format. Advertising Cannot be displayed during gameplay, at the beginning of the level, or during the beginning of the content segment. Video ads are shown in full screen Before the android app download screen.

Remember that annoying full screen ad 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 results screen, i.e. when you have finished playing a level.

Standard Better ad experiences for Android look Some exceptions. Politics It will not apply to those actions where you agree to see ads for something. For example, if you run out of lives in candy crush And you have to watch an ad to get another shot, the game may show the ad. Ads that do not interfere with the normal use of the application or game will also not be blocked.such as banners or embedded video ads.

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

Google will put an end to identity theft

The second important change concerns Android apps that use similar titles, descriptions, or icons to another app in order to confuse the user. Google confirmed it It will not support apps that mislead consumers by impersonating someone else.

Do not imply that your application is associated with or authorized by someone if it is not. Be careful not to use icons, app descriptions, app titles, or in-app items that may mislead users about your app’s relationship to another person or app.

As of August 31, 2022, Apps and games may not use icons or titles that indicate a relationship With another company, entity, organization or developer. Copying a company logo to confuse people will not be allowed and this will definitely happen It will remove hundreds (or thousands) of apps that currently use similar icons To Twitter, YouTube and other official apps.

Android apps will also not be able to indicate that they are linked to cryptocurrency sites, TV shows, or celebrities if there is no link. Google has shared some examples of what not to do inside the Play Console help site

More policy changes for Android apps and games

In addition to these two criteria, Google also announced that Android apps that promote false health information will not be accepted. This takes into account apps that make misleading claims about vaccines, advocate unapproved treatments, or practices harmful to people, such as gay conversion therapy.

Developers won’t be able to use the subtle alert feature if their app doesn’t have an alarm, timer, or calendar app that shows event notifications. And they will not be able to provide alternatives to circumvent FLAG_SECURE. This phrase prevents data from being recorded when capturing screens and is used by video applications in . format flow.

Finally, developers who offer subscriptions to apps will need to specify for their users how to manage or cancel the subscription. The Applications must include access to an easy online method to cancel the servicewhich may be on the user account settings page.

The new guidelines can Consult the help site for developers. Those with a yellow tick are the latest to be updated.