Google to Remove Low-Quality Apps from Play Store
Google has announced plans to eliminate thousands of low-quality and non-functional apps from the Play Store starting August 31, 2024. In order to ensure that apps meet higher standards for functionality and user experience, the tech giant has made updates to its Spam and Minimum Functionality policy.
According to the revised policy, apps that crash, lack basic utility as mobile apps, have unengaging content, or exhibit behavior that does not provide a functional and engaging user experience will no longer be allowed on Google Play. This includes applications with restricted features, such as text-only or single-wallpaper apps, as well as those with malfunctioning features that do not install or fail to load.
The Play Store already blocks apps that are unresponsive, crash, freeze, do not install, or function abnormally. Google’s goal with this policy update is to ensure that apps on the platform meet elevated standards and provide users with quality functionality and content experiences.
In 2023, approximately 2.28 million apps were removed from the Play Store for policy violations and user security concerns. Additionally, around 200,000 app submissions were rejected, and 333,000 ‘bad’ Google Play accounts were banned due to policy violations, malware suspicions, and fraud concerns.
Developers have time until the policy takes effect to ensure that their apps meet the quality standards of the Play Store. This move is seen as a step towards enhancing Android’s security and aligning app restrictions with those of the Apple App Store, promising a more curated and trustworthy app environment for Android users.
