There were a couple of announcements out of the Google camp today, both of which are geared towards creating a better Google Play user experience. First off, Google has introduced a new age-based rating system for their apps and games. With all of the different rating systems around the world Google wanted to make it easier for developers to rate their apps and games appropriately and for users to be able to easily determine whether the app or game is appropriate for them (or their kids). In order to accomplish this, Google has put together a simple questionnaire that developers will have access to for free. Once the questionnaire is complete, Google will provide them with an objective content rating. These new ratingd will begin rolling out in the coming weeks.
The other announcement, which more directly affects the user, is Google’s new app review process. Previously, Google would allow basically anyone to publish basically any app at any time and if it were later found to have violated Google’s developer policies, it would be pulled. Google has changed things up and are now reviewing apps at the time of submission meaning that violating apps will never make it to the Play Store. Google says that they’ve already been doing this for several months now and hopefully this new process will lead to better app quality in general.
Developers are also getting some additional attention with the new review process. Google has stated that they want to be more transparent with developers and will provide more insight and information as to why certain apps are rejected or suspended. This will hopefully allow developers to quickly rectify any violations so they can get their app back in the store in a timely manner.
