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Google Play Store to label apps containing ads

Developers will be required to declare whether their apps contain ads and display a label on their Google Play Store listings starting early next year, or risk their apps being suspended.
Existing ad label for family-orientated apps

Working out which Android apps have ads from those that don't is about to get a whole lot easier. Developers can now voluntarily declare their apps contain ads, which will display a distinct "ad-supported" label on the apps Google Play Store listing. However by January 11, 2016, developers won't have a choice and the ad label will be mandatory.

Common ads including banner, loading page, native (including sponsored articles) and even ads for other apps by the developer are included in Google's non-exhaustive list of examples. The label will be similar to that found on "ad-supported family apps", seen above.

Details of the new label were recently emailed to Play Store developers, warning failure to label ad-supported apps could lead to Google taking action.

"Please note that misrepresenting ad presence violates Google Play Developer Program Policies and may lead to suspension.

"While developers are responsible for accurately declaring ad presence in their apps, Google may verify this at any time and display the “Ads” label if appropriate."

The new ad-supported label guidelines are available here.

Source: Google via Droid Life

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