Change is coming to the Google Play Store.
Starting next year by Jan. 11, 2016, Android developers will be required to declare the status of ads in their apps via the Play Developer Console.
Originally only required for apps admitted into Google's "Designed for Families" program which was launched at Google I/O, apps supported by advertisements were tagged with "Ad Supported" labels.
Just very recently, Google has decided to expand that initiative across all apps listed on Google Play. After the due date in January next year, Android users will begin seeing whether or not apps they intend to download will have ads in them. The "Ads" label will appear directly beneath the "Install" button where the "In-app purchases" label is normally located.
In its email to developers, Google warns that inaction by developers by the deadline may have consequences. In addition, "misrepresenting ad presence violates Google Play Developer Program Policies and may lead to suspension," the company states in the support page for Android developers. Indeed, the "Wild West" days of the Android app market have long been gone.
If Android devs are unsure if they do, in fact, have ads in their apps, Google does offer examples on its support pages. For instance, an app may integrate with an ad SDK to show banners and/or interstitials. If that's the case, then the developer is obligated to disclose that information to the Play Store. Even if a developer's app displays a small banner just to promote the developer's other apps, that must also be declared in their developer account.
Even if a developer fails to declare an ad supported app or doesn't believe their app displays any ads, Google states that it has the final say in verifying whether there are indeed ads present in an app.
"Google may verify this at any time and display the 'Ads' label if appropriate," it said.
For end-users, the "Ad Supported" label may help warn them about what content they could randomly be seeing when they download an app. At the same time, however, Google's latest move may affect in-app advertisements if app consumers start shying away from downloading apps slapped with that kind of label.
