Google recently implemented significant changes to its Google Play Store policies, presenting app developers with new challenges and opportunities. Here’s an overview of the main changes and their implications:

- Enhanced Control Over Sensitive Categories
- Financial, medical, VPN, and government service apps can only be published through organizational accounts
- Recommendation: Obtain relevant qualifications, strengthen internal review processes
- Increased Product Quality Requirements
- Focus on eliminating “spam content, functionality, and poor user experience”
- Recommendation: Improve product stability, optimize device compatibility, carefully manage in-app purchases and advertisements
- Increased Risk with Third-Party SDK Usage
- Developers are now responsible for the SDKs they use
- Recommendation: Rigorously review SDKs, consider developing in-house alternatives
- Challenges for Individual Developers
- New personal accounts face restrictions, higher testing requirements
- Recommendation: Form small teams, focus on non-sensitive app categories
- AI Application Standardization
- Google strengthens control over AI applications
- Recommendation: Increase AI transparency, enhance ethical and security reviews
Conclusion:
While these new policies present challenges, they also promote a higher-quality, more standardized app ecosystem. Developers need to adapt to these changes, improving product quality and compliance awareness. Continuous learning and quick adaptation will be key to success in this new environment.