Google Is Finally Tackling Misleading App Names In The Play Store - Android

Google has finally decided to do something about misleading app names in the Play Store. The company has announced new policies and guidelines for Android apps. The company basically showed developers how Android apps can / should present themselves in the Play Store. Google wants to avoid misleading app names in the Play Store Google [...]

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The post Google Is Finally Tackling Misleading App Names In The Play Store appeared first on Android Headlines.

Google has finally decided to do something about misleading app names in the Play Store. The company has announced new policies and guidelines for Android apps. The company basically showed developers how Android apps can / should present themselves in the Play Store.

Google wants to avoid misleading app names in the Play Store

Google is obviously trying to keep things in order, and avoid misleading app listings, including misleading titles. This change is finally coming, as there are a ton of such apps in the Play Store.

The company says that the app title, icon, and developer name are the “most important discovery elements on your store listing page”. Google detailed the upcoming policy changes, by sharing what exactly will be different.

First and foremost, Google is limiting the length of app titles to 30 characters. This is probably the most important change, as it will prevent developers from including tons of keywords into the title, making it too long and misleading at the same time.

Google is also prohibiting some keyword types

On top of that, the company is prohibiting keywords that imply store performance, promotion in the icon, title, and developer name. The third change has to do with graphic elements. It is eliminating graphic elements that may mislead users in the app icon. Check out the gallery below.

It is quite clear that Google wants to avoid developers from including icons or text that imply store performance or rank, price, and promotional information. So, developers won’t be able to include an app icon that says “#1”, “free”, “sale”, etc. These are just some examples.

Developers also won’t be able to use CAPS, unless that is a part of the brand itself. Irrelevant special characters also won’t be allowed, the same goes for emoticons / emoji.

These changes will take effect in H2 2021

Google will share far more details later this year, though it was not specified when, other than H2 2021. This policy change is not in effect just yet, but the company wanted to announce it ahead of time, so that developers can prepare themselves.

The post Google Is Finally Tackling Misleading App Names In The Play Store appeared first on Android Headlines.