“Do-Nothing” Apps Are Being Removed by Google From the Play Store
Google Play Store apps with “limited functionality” may soon be taken down. This includes apps like text-only apps, single-wallpaper apps, and apps made specifically to “do nothing,” which offer very little in the way of content or interaction.
Google always works to make the app store better by changing its guidelines and eliminating undesirable apps. In 2022, Google removed millions of outdated apps from the Play Store, and in 2023, the Play Store’s security standards were tightened.
Google’s updated Minimum Functionality and Spam policies will go into effect on August 31st as part of their ongoing efforts to enhance the Play Store. “Apps that are designed to do nothing” were prohibited under the old Spam and Minimum Functionality Policy; however, the updated policy specifically states that apps lacking “app-specific functionality” or “an engaging user experience” are also considered spam.
Interestingly, Google’s Spam and Minimum Functionality policy’s “Broken Functionality” part remains unaltered. This is true even though a number of well-known apps, such as the Sonos app, are frequently criticized for having glitches in their performance.
The unfortunate thing about this “app purge,” like other cleanup efforts, is that Google will unavoidably remove some programs that users find important. Users could also wonder why Google is concentrating its efforts on “static” or “do-nothing” apps—aren’t fraud apps a more pressing concern?
Google deserves praise for the clarifications made to the Play Store SDK Requirements and Malware policy. However, Google claims that its “enforcement standards and practices remain the same,” indicating that these policies haven’t actually altered in any way.
Google’s updated Minimum Functionality and Spam policies are available to read on the Play Console Help page. Please be aware that the effective date of this policy is August 31st. Before that date, if an app gets delisted from the Play Store, it’s because it broke a different guideline, or the developer just withdrew it.
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