Google, with an aim to fix the dilemma, is bringing in improved detection and filtering systems to put a hold on the spam app installs. The enhanced versions of Google Play Store were released on 31st October and will cohesively target the developers who frequently use the unfair means, fake their reviews and installs in order to market their apps and incentivize the ratings. By doing this, the wrong-doers can adversely affect the apps that are reviewed and rated by genuine users and will impact the overall experience of the Android user to a much greater extent.
Google did start to work in this direction from March 2015, by employing systematic algorithms that will allow the internal team to systematically review and rate the company themselves before giving the approval of going live on the Play Store. As the global app market is expected to grow at a rate of 18% annually and reach $102 billion revenue in 2020, it is immensely important to make the app marketing platform i.e. the Play Store free from all the fuss and confusion.
Cutting the overcrowded app market will be critical for any app developer and it will help them in making a viable user base according to the nature, genre and customer base of the app. So, according to the new explicit rules, a typical fraudulent app can be spotted and removed in about half a day so that damaged caused by it can be minimized. However, half a day is all the scammers need to make profit, but with such initiation, damage, in the long run, can be easily avoided or minimized to a good extent.
In case of the third party, Google has gently reminded the developers to inform their marketing agency that they make sure to be in the legitimate limit and avoid all the potential security errors. Also, the marketing agencies would have to follow the pre-defined rules from Google, so that the integrity of Google Play Store is cordially maintained.
Also Read: Google is building up its defense against fraudulent apps
Perks of the New System
Google had a technology that was used to detect the manipulation attempts; the new system is way ahead in terms of reliability and accuracy. As when the system detects the app is climbing the charts using unfair means, the system will detect it and filter it then and there. So, the developers who engage in these sorts of activities will find their apps lying down the barrel or taken out from Google Play Store.
Often spammers or developers buy downloads in order to juice up their rankings, but the monitoring feature in the new system will not allow and keep a stern watch on their activities. Moreover, the automated download bots or the fake install adds that are the common attempts by the shady developers will never help them earn a high rank or rating according to the new system.
The new system will invoke new horizons and explore the possibilities of app install ad formats which according to the developers are the best and the most effective. Moreover, the integration with the new marketing tools will be made simpler and include the deep linking aspects and live streaming features. Google’s new policy also explicitly bars certain things like the users paying through a non-Google mechanism and much more. By doing this, the legitimacy of the payment process can be safeguarded for the app’s own and Google Play Store’s reputation.
Closing in
Google being an open platform, it is easier for the developers or the spammers to come here and violate the rules for their own good. These tactics hinder the progress of the apps that are genuinely making valiant efforts in their genre and getting fruitful rankings and reviews for it. Thus, Google’s new safeguarding policy will make the Google Play Store a worthier and fair place to launch apps and earn rich rewards, views and money from it.