A recap of Google’s Android Dev Summit 2021

App Store StrategyASO Creative Optimization
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Google hosted the 2021 version of its Android Dev Summit on the twenty seventh and twenty eighth of October. This 12 months’s theme was Glorious Apps, throughout units and it was, as soon as once more, held on-line. With over 30 workshops, they talked about adapting apps for Android 12 and enormous screens, all the pieces new coming to the Play Retailer and a lot extra!

We dived in and chosen all of the ASO information it’s essential know!

THE DATA SAFETY SECTION IS HERE!

We launched Google’s new security part in a earlier article, it’s lastly right here! To recap, the protection part will seem on each app’s itemizing web page and share info equivalent to how the information collected is used, if it’s encrypted, what the privateness coverage is like, and if the app complies with Google’s household insurance policies.

It will likely be necessary for all builders, if you happen to don’t have an authorized security part apps and updates could also be denied, beginning in April 2022.

You possibly can already begin filling the protection part within the Play Console and submit it for approval. As soon as it’s been reviewed, it would present up in your app’s itemizing web page at the start of 2022.

Be sure to think about the reviewing delay when planning to declare your security part. Builders who didn’t submit the mandatory info may have an empty part on their app’s itemizing web page within the meantime.

UPDATE YOUR EMOJIS

The primary coverage change introduced by Google is about “giving customers an inclusive and constant expertise” with emojis. Beginning February 2, 2022, apps working on Android 12 and above must adjust to Unicode’s most up-to-date emoji model. Builders may have to take action in a four-month window after the discharge of the brand new emojis.

There are a number of choices to make sure your app’s compliance with this new rule:

  • When you’re at present utilizing AppCombat, you simply have to allow emoji
  • You may as well use an current EmojiCompat library for customized views that use StaticLayout
  • Or you possibly can replace the dealing with and font/photographs for emoji with each model of Unicode that comes out

To see in case your app is updated with the most recent emojis, use this reference desk:

NEW HOSTILE DOWNLOADER SECTION FOR THE MOBILE UNWANTED SOFTWARE POLICY

Google’s Cellular Undesirable Software program Coverage (MUwS) may have a brand new part beginning February 2, 2022. The hostile downloader part will prohibit “code that isn’t in itself undesirable software program, however downloads different cell undesirable software program”.

A code could also be thought-about a hostile downloader if not less than 5% of apps downloaded by it are MUwS (with a minimal of 500 complete apps downloaded), if it’s believed to unfold MUwS, has downloaded MUwS, or if it accommodates code that might obtain and set up apps.

Nonetheless, browsers and file-sharing apps aren’t thought-about hostile downloaders. They only must watch out to keep away from driving downloads with out consumer interplay and guarantee all software program downloads are initiated by consenting customers.

TIGHTER RULES FOR KIDS APPS

Apps aimed toward youngsters are already topic to particular necessities, however two new guidelines will likely be added quickly.

Beginning April 1st, 2022, youngsters apps which have social options might want to characteristic in-app reminders for safely participating with others on-line. Fast reminder, the Play Retailer doesn’t enable apps that allow youngsters chat with strangers.

The opposite new rule is that child customers will now want grownup approval earlier than youngsters can share private info.

ADDED CLARIFICATIONS TO PLAY STORE POLICIES

Clarifications and examples have been added to 3 Play Retailer insurance policies. These aren’t new insurance policies, solely added particulars on current ones. Enforcement requirements and practices is not going to change because of these updates however the modifications are already efficient.

The subscriptions coverage will now extra explicitly prohibit apps “that topic customers to misleading or manipulative buy experiences (together with in-app purchases or subscriptions)”.

Within the Households Advertisements and Monetization coverage, Google clarifies that it’s required that all monetization and promoting occurring inside apps that concentrate on youngsters should adjust to the coverage.

The heading for the Knowledge security part is altering as a way to outline the references to Consumer Knowledge. Google can also be including a hyperlink to a assist middle article.

New and current apps will obtain a grace interval of not less than 30 days from October 27 to adjust to the up to date insurance policies.

UPCOMING CHANGES TO THE PLAY STORE

Beginning this month, critiques and rankings on the Play Retailer will likely be particular to the consumer’s nation. In 2022, they may even be particular to a consumer’s machine (pill customers will solely see pill rankings and critiques from their very own nation for instance).

Along with that, Google is permitting in-app messaging to cope with subscription cost points. Builders can now contact customers who encounter these issues straight within the app and repair the difficulty with out them needing to go away the app and return to the Play Retailer.

A number of different insurance policies will likely be up to date on December 1st:

  • The Inappropriate Content material coverage will prohibit apps “revealed by or associated to harmful actions and organizations which are related to violence towards civilians”
  • The Enforcement Course of coverage will mean you can restrict the areas wherein your app is on the market to customers
  • The Sexual Content material coverage will guarantee that apps are solely made obtainable in areas the place the sexual content material inside them is deemed acceptable.

GET CERTIFIED AS AN APP STORE MARKETER!

Final however not least, now you can get licensed in Google Play Retailer Itemizing greatest practices! Google introduced a brand new certification referred to as the “Google Play Retailer Itemizing Certificates”.

Making your app’s itemizing web page profitable isn’t any small feat and due to that certification now you can check your data in digital cell advertising greatest practices. Similar to different Google certifications, this one is totally freed from cost.

The coaching covers:

  • The position of the cell entrepreneurs when making a retailer itemizing
  • Avoiding the most typical Play Retailer coverage violations
  • Telling a narrative together with your retailer itemizing inventive property
  • Instruments that can assist you develop your app
  • promote your app’s itemizing web page to a world viewers

The examination lasts 5 hours and also you’ll be evaluated on particular subjects associated to the Google Play Retailer. When you succeed, the certificates is legitimate for 12 months and comes with a digital badge, a digital certificates, and a hyperlink to opt-in to the Google Developer Alumni Listing.

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