In April Google finally began to veto the anarchy and spam that was forming in the app and developer names on Google Play. Then they announced the imminent change in policies against misleading names on Google Play. Now Google has announced when this rule will be effective: on September 29.
As of September 29, Google will prohibit the use of spam in text and graphics in the names, icons and developer names on Google Play. Part of these changes will involve reverting to the 30 character maximum length for app names.
Spamming is going to end
Little by little Google Play has become the Wild West, with very little control and applications with extraordinary claims that are simply a lie. As if this were not enough, in 2017 Google increased the maximum size of the 30-50 character application names. The result was to be expected: applications that have kilometer names where a lot of extra is added that is not really the name of the application.
In April, Google decided to veto the matter with a series of measures aimed at reducing these abusive practices. The application name was back to 30 characters maximum, the use of words that imply their ranking, price or other details in the names was prohibited application, developer and icons.
Examples of applications with emojis in their names
Similarly, misleading elements were prohibited in icons, the use of capital letters unless it is the official name of the brand and, probably to the joy of many, the use of emojis and emoticons was prohibited.
The changes also affect the screenshots that developers upload to illustrate their application or game. Google wants them to represent the app in a faithful way to the game, that they offer enough information to the user to decide if they want to install it or not and want to avoid using words like “Free” or “The best …” in them.
All these measures were announced in the form of a notice in April, with an eye on their application from the second half of 2021. Now Google has announced the entry into force of several policy changes, including these. It will enter into force on September 29, to the joy of many.
Via | Android Police