New Google Play “Warning”: App May Contain Advertising

Is “advertising” becoming a dirty word? In the broader climate of complaints about low-quality ads and ad blocking, it’s interesting to see new labeling in Google Play about apps with ads.

According to Android Authority, Google Play will start to require developer disclosures about whether apps are supported by advertising. This will take the form of an “ad-supported” label. It will roll out early next year.

This started in apps directed at kids, which makes sense. But it’s now going to be Google Play store-wide. Below is an example of the labeling. It’s pretty innocuous.

I haven’t spoken to Google about this. I would assume this is being done in the interests of transparency and consistency. I’m also certain that Google wouldn’t say ad-supported apps need “warnings” of any kind.

However, in the larger environment, where services like YouTube, Pandora, Hulu and others are offering ad-free versions, it’s an interesting development.