Google cracks down on unexpected, misleading ads on the Play Store
Technology: So the news is being spread out that Google is cracking down on unexpected, unnecessary, annoying ads that users face while playing Android games, along with several other new ads guidelines to make sure that high-quality experiences for users on Play Store.
This will be effective from 30th September, the developers cannot show full-screen ads of all formats like video, GIF, static, etc. that show unexpectedly when the user has chosen to do something else, which is not allowed.
Further, Google said in its developer policy updates that the Ads that appear during gameplay at the beginning of a level or during the beginning of a content segment are not allowed and full-screen video ads that appear before an app’s loading screen or splash screen are not allowed.
These kinds of ads are inappropriate for the users, as they are expecting to begin a game or engage in the content instead. However, Google said, Full-screen ads of all formats that are not stopped after 15s are not allowed.
Google further said full-screen substitutional that do not interrupt users in their actions like, after the score screen in a game app may persist more than 15 seconds.
This policy does not apply to rewarded ads or monetization, and advertising that does not interfere with normal app use.
This is applied from 1st November, all apps distributed on Google Play are required to respect the Flag Secure declaration of other apps for security and privacy purposes. The company further said Apps must not facilitate or create workarounds to bypass the Flag Secure settings in other apps.
The Flag Secure is a display flag that will be declared in an app’s code to indicate that its user interface UI, contains sensitive data that is intended to be limited to a secure surface when using the app
Google will not allow any apps that mislead users by imitating someone else like another developer, entity, company, or another app from 31st August.
Moreover, Google also said, do not imply that your app is related to or authorized by someone and that it is not. Be careful not to use app icons, titles, descriptions, or in-app elements that could mislead users about your app’s relationship with someone else or another app.
This is Effective from 30th September, if developers sell subscriptions in apps, they must have to make sure that the apps clearly disclose how a user can manage or cancel their subscription. The company also said you must also include in your app access to an easy-to-use, online method to cancel the subscription.
