Google Sets Ads Declaration Deadline On January 11

With the advent of smartphones and tablets, people are spending a considerable part of their time on mobile devices, which has of course become their prime media source. However, many users are irritated by the ads that pop on the screen when they open some app. These ads include ‘interstitials’ which often freeze on the screen for a few seconds until an “x” button appears, ‘banners’ that usually appear at the top or bottom of the screen and many others. Annoyed by these ads, users at times delete the relevant app altogether.

It seems Google has come up with a solution for this problem. Starting next January, all apps listed in the Google Play Store that contain ads will feature an “ad-supported” label to give a heads up to users.

In an email sent to the Google Play developers, Google said that they have to sign in to the Play Developer Console and declare whether or not their app contains ads (like ads delivered through third party ad networks, display ads, native ads, and/or banner ads) by Monday, January 11th, 2016. Post the said date, ads declaration will be required to make any updates to the apps.

Google warned that misrepresenting ad presence will violate Google Play Developer Program Policies and may lead to suspension of the concerned apps.

Android Authority said that Google introduced this feature for ad-supported apps in the Designed for Families section back at Google I/O, and now the feature will roll out to all applications and games early next year.