Publishing your app in the Google Play Store is going to be different than before. Developers publishing apps for Android need to be aware about the recent changes that are aimed at improving the quality of apps in the Google marketplace.
Publishing apps in Google Play
Most app developers read or know about Google’s policies regarding app publishing before they start out with the app development process. Android apps are published in Google Play Store, the biggest market for all mobile apps on Android.
Lately, Google is trying to improve the quality of apps on the store and remove harmful malware. A number of apps in the Google Play Store have unverified credentials and can slow down the phone as well as fill it with malware.
The start of the rating system
This was long overdue. Google has now introduced a new app approval processing system that uses the rating system. Developers are always affected by any changes in the rule by Google and the biggest scare remains the risk of being rejected.
Don’t worry about the recent changes if you’re trying to push quality into your apps – Google does not want to reject apps. All they want is to control the low quality and malware filled apps through these recent updates.
There are three things an Android developer must know about the new app approval system:
1. Age based Rating System
Google has introduced new age-based rating system much like media content on the internet. Criteria for this rating system would be set by organizations like IARC (International Age Rating Coalition). For countries that do not have such rating organization, will be able to view only generic ratings. The rating is designed to control the content an underage user should see.
2. Questionnaires
Google has added a human touch to the approval system. Android app developers will have to fill the questionnaires while submitting their app for approval. This questionnaire will decide the age rating as well as help understand the app on human level. However, how this questionnaire will impact the approval of app other than its age rating is still not clear and remains to be seen within the next few weeks.
3. Malware Reduction
Developers may be scared that rejection rate of apps may increase due to these changes but importantly, the rejection rate of malware applications will increase and even the apps that violate Google’s new policy will be suspended. Environment on Google market will become more healthy and carry quality app, which is great news for user as well as for developers.
The new policy changes in app approval by Google do not interfere with the app development process in anyway. Developers can continue to follow the app development standards that have been successfully followed and submit high-quality apps to the Google market as before.
