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- Google denies claims
The Play Store has often been compared to the wild west; which may be good or bad, depending on your perspective. Unlike Apple's App Store and the Amazon AppStore, developers have long been free to publish their apps without going through a lengthy curation stage, and only those that contained malware or used restricted APIs were blocked. However, it appears Google may have quietly instigated a more involved review process that impacts every app and update.
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Back in April, an Android Developers blog post mentioned that Google would be taking more time to examine apps from devs that hadn't established a track record with the Play Store. This was meant to block malware, copycat apps, resubmissions from banned developers, and other prohibited or questionable software. A few days ago, a blog post by Dan Fabulich of Choice of Games detailed a conversation with Google Play developer support that revealed the review process is no longer limited to just new and suspicious developers.
After the story received some attention on reddit and Hacker News, a member of the Google Developer Relations team stepped in to clarify some of the details. Between his comments and accounts from numerous commenters, these appear to be the facts:
- Google is now reviewing all apps and updates before they are published. (There was some confusion about whether updates are reviewed, but numerous developers confirmed they've seen their own updates delayed for multiple days.)
- All developers go through reviews, but established high-traffic developers will often get faster approvals. App updates are usually approved faster than new apps.
- There is no way to expedite (speed up) the review process.
- Updates can be scheduled, but scheduling the launch of new apps requires an awkward workaround.
- No notice was given to developers warning of a potential multi-day approval process until they attempt to publish.
Google's current knowledge base article still claims this only happens to "certain developer accounts" and goes on to recommend planning at least three days for apps to be approved. Comments from developers seem to indicate that they have seen turnaround in as little as a few hours or up to several days. Notably, there is no visible warning in the developer console about delays, it only appears after publishing.
Note:For certain developer accounts, we’ll take more time to thoroughly review your app(s) to help better protect users. You’ll receive a notification on your app'sDashboardabout how long this should take. We recommend that you adjust your planning to include a buffer period of at least three days between submitting your app and going live.
One of the main criticisms that emerged from the Choice of Games post was centered around the inability to schedule a release of new apps. This is often important for planning marketing campaigns and promotions. A feature called Timed Publishing has historically made this possible, but since this review process went into effect, it only works with app updates. New apps ignore the scheduled time and are simply published as soon as they are approved. A workaround was detailed by the person from developer relations, but it's not an inherently obvious solution.
It's still unclear if the review process is carried out by real people or if most apps are only examined by an automated process. Google only claims that humans are involved in every "sensitive decision," which may mean people only examine apps that have been flagged or come from new developers.
All of this comes just three months after Google I/O 2019 where a commitment was made on stage to be more transparent about changes in Play Store policies and to give developers more information and sufficient time to adjust to changes. Perhaps those statements should have gone through a review process of their own.
We've reached out to Google for details and further insight into what the review process is focusing on, but no response has been provided at the time of this post.
UPDATE: 2019/08/21 3:02PM PDT BY CODY TOOMBS
Google denies claims
In a post by TechCrunch, Google is denying the claims that "all new apps" are going through a more extensive review process. This aspect of the story originally came from a chat log between a Choice of Games employee, Dan Fabulich, and a Google Play developer support agent. Google is taking the stance that this was a misunderstanding and the support agent misstated the current policies.
Google's responses appear to focus predominantly on the claim that all developers were facing a 3-day (or more) wait time for approvals on new apps. However, nothing was said about reports from some established developers that updates to existing apps have been substantially slower or concerns that there's insufficient warning. Perhaps the devil is in the details insomuch as Google could have ramped up the review process for a larger field of developers, but isn't actively scrutinizing major developers like Gameloft, Facebook, or Microsoft.
UPDATE: 2019/09/03 9:13AM PDT BY CODY TOOMBS
Google notes that review periods may exceed 7 days
Google has now updated the specific advice for developers to acknowledge that a review delay could go on longer than the 3-day window that was initially described. In the passage below, taken from the knowledgebase article about publishing, Google specifies that review periods could reach 7 days or longer.
Note:For certain developer accounts, we’ll take more time to thoroughly review your app(s) to help better protect users. This may result in review times of up to 7 days or longer in exceptional cases. You’ll receive a notification on your app'sDashboard about how long this should take.
It's possible this revised advice isn't necessarily associated with the general population of apps. A recent blog post gave a similar 7-day warning in relation to new apps and updates that are marked appropriate for young children. However, some developers of non-family apps have reported delays reaching close to a week. While the delay is fairly long, the phrasing is still specific that this is intended for "exceptional cases." This could also simply be careful language to cover Google in the event that a rush of new submissions hit at the same time or for special cases where a developer requires more thorough vetting before their apps can be cleared.
Google will surely release more details eventually, but in the meantime, it seems like the best advice for developers is to simply plan for a delay on publishing any new app or update.
Via: XDA
Thanks: Ramit Suri
FAQs
How long does it take for Google Play to review app update? ›
Standard publishing: Updates to existing apps are processed and published as soon as possible. By default, your app will use standard publishing. Certain apps may be subject to extended reviews, which may result in review times of up to 7 days or longer in exceptional cases.
How long does it take for Google app review? ›App Review
This process typically takes 1-3 days to complete. Following an initial rollout, you can review your app's status and understand your app's availability on Google Play.
There is no way to expedite (speed up) the review process. Updates can be scheduled, but scheduling the launch of new apps requires an awkward workaround. No notice was given to developers warning of a potential multi-day approval process until they attempt to publish.
How do I fix Google Play update error? ›- Check that you have a strong Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
- Check your storage space.
- Check for Android system updates.
- Check if the app is available for your device.
- Uninstall & reinstall the app.
- Close & reopen the Play Store.
- Uninstall & reinstall Play Store updates.
- Restart your device.
Check the internet connection
Having a stable internet connection is a requirement for Play Store to update applications on your phone. If you are facing a problem in updating your apps, check your internet connection and wait for it to get stable.
Review status
On average, 90% of submissions are reviewed in less than 24 hours. You'll be notified by email of status changes. You can also check the review status of your submission in the My Apps section of App Store Connect or on the App Store Connect app for iPhone and iPad.
Find why your review is delayed
Delays because of a merge should be resolved within a few days. Customers on older mobile devices and operating systems might have issues leaving reviews. To fix the problem, customers should update their operating system and Google Maps app version.
- Share the Google Review Link via Email and SMS.
- Add Review Link to Your Website.
- Leverage Feedback Surveys to Increase Google Reviews.
- Print 'Leave Us a Review' Cards.
- Engage with On-Site Customers.
- Print QR codes with Review Link Embedded into Them.
- Ask for Reviews on Social Media.
- On your computer, open Google Maps.
- At the top left, click Menu .
- Click Your contributions. Reviews.
- Next to the review you want to edit or delete, click More .
- Select Edit review or Delete review and follow the on-screen steps.
Featured Apps
Apps with a star rating lower than four stars will typically not be featured. A low rating lets the stores know that the app has issues that need to be resolved before it can confidently feature it. Featuring an app that frustrates users will only erode user faith in the featured apps.
How do I force a Google Play app to update? ›
- Open the Google Play Store app .
- At the top right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Manage apps & device. Apps with an update available are labeled "Update available."
- Tap Update.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet. Step 2: Tap Apps, then tap Google Play Store. Step 3: Tap the Enable button to make Google Play Store appear on the Home screen and app drawer. Are you bothered by Google Play services keeps stopping or Google Play services has stopped?
How do I clear my Google Play Store cache? ›- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app .
- Tap Apps & notifications. See all apps.
- Scroll down and tap Google Play Store .
- Tap Storage. Clear Cache.
- Tap Clear data.
- Re-open the Play Store, and try your download again.
- Check your network.
- Check Your Phone's Storage.
- Clear Cache of the Play Store app.
- Uninstall & Re-install Play Store Updates.
If your Android device won't update, it might have to do with your Wi-Fi connection, battery, storage space, or the age of your device. Android mobile devices usually update automatically, but updates can be delayed or prevented for various reasons.
Why wont it let me update my apps? ›Check Device Storage
This one of the most popular reasons behind apps not updating error on Android. If your Android phone is running out of storage, it won't update apps on your phone. You can manually delete files and media from your phone to free up storage. But that's a time-consuming process.
Average App Store approval times are around two days. But in reality, most apps are approved much sooner (usually within a day or less). The key is to stay patient because it's impossible to know whether your app will be approved within hours or weeks.
Why is my App Store stuck in Waiting for review? ›Waiting for Review just means that your app is waiting in the queue for a reviewer to look at it. When a reviewer starts to look at the app, it enters the stage In Review. At the end of review, the app is either rejected or accepted.
Why is an app pending for so long? ›Begin with checking your device storage, a common cause for download errors. However, Google will notify if the device or SD card storage has insufficient space. You may have to free up some space by uninstalling unused apps. At times, updates or security patches of your device might cause download issues.
Can a Google review be removed? ›To ask Google to remove or delete an inappropriate review from your Business Profile, report the review. Google can remove reviews that violate Google's policies. Important: Before you ask to remove or delete a review, read our reviews policy.
How long does it take for Google to review and edit? ›
It typically takes up to 10 minutes to review your edits. In some cases, the review may take up to 30 days. If Google is unable to confirm the accuracy of your proposed edit, it may not be accepted.
How long does Google take to remove a flagged review? ›Wait for a response: After flagging the review, sit back and relax while Google investigates. They'll determine whether or not the review violates their policies. It typically takes up to 14 days for Google to review your request and verify if they will remove the review.
How does Google catch fake reviews? ›“Reviews are automatically processed to detect inappropriate content like fake reviews and spam,” Google states in its prohibited and restricted content page, “We may take down reviews that are flagged in order to comply with Google policies or legal obligations.”
What are the best Google Hacks? ›- Googly Eyes. Type 'Googly Eyes' and hit enter or click search, and you'll see the Google logo get a pair of eyes which will follow your cursor around the page!
- This is how Google rolls! ...
- DVD screensaver. ...
- Loch Ness Monster. ...
- Old-fashioned Google. ...
- Diwali. ...
- Anagram. ...
- Animal Sounds.
On Google, anyone can write a fake review that goes public instantly upon submission. And since Google is a third-party site, businesses can't just take the review down. They need to go through Google's reviewal process to appeal the fake review.
Will deleting Google account delete reviews? ›Deleting your Google account will also not prevent bad reviews: Once it's been created, a business profile continues to appear in search results. By deleting your account you're only losing control over it.
Can you pay to have Google reviews removed? ›Google doesn't enable businesses to delete reviews on their Google Business Profile. This helps prevent businesses from deleting poor reviews due to bad experiences. To have a review removed, the person who wrote the review can delete the review, or a business can ask Google to remove an inappropriate review.
How do I clean up my Google? ›- On your Android device, open Files by Google .
- On the bottom left, tap Clean .
- On the "Junk Files" card, tap. Confirm and free up.
- Tap See junk files.
- Select the log files or temporary app files you want to clear.
- Tap Clear .
- On the confirmation pop up, tap Clear.
Fake Android apps are programs designed to look legitimate but are actually malware. They are generally available on unofficial app stores or websites but can also be found on the official Google Play Store. Cybercriminals design and name them in such a way that they appear to be pretty useful.
Do you get paid for an app on Play Store? ›Q. How much does Google Play Store pay per download of an Android app? A. Google takes 30% of the revenue made on the Android app and gives the rest 70% to the developers.
Does Google Play delete apps? ›
If you are looking for an app that is no longer available on Google Play, the developer may have removed the app from Google Play or the app violated our Google Play Developer Program Policies and Developer Distribution Agreement and was removed or suspended from Google Play.
How do I force Android to update? ›The best way to force an Android update is to go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. You can also force Android updates by reinstalling Android OS using a PC or rooting your Android for deeper customizations.
What happens if I uninstall Google Play Store updates? ›Uninstall Google Play Store Updates
Uninstalling Play Store updates will restore the Play Store app to the original or factory version, thus fixing any issues that might be plaguing it. The Play Store app will still appear on your phone, and you can use it normally.
There is a menu that offers to update all existing applications on Android smartphones. Through the "Me" menu on the bottom right, you can update all the applications that you have installed without going through the Google Play Store.
How do I restart Google Play Store? ›On your Android device, swipe up from the bottom, hold, then let go. To close the Play Store app, swipe up on it. Open the Play Store again.
How do I reinstall Google Play apps? ›- On your Android phone or tablet, open Google Play Store .
- At the right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Manage apps and device. Manage.
- Select the apps that you want to install or turn on. If you can't find the app, at the top, tap Installed. Not installed.
- Tap Install or Enable.
Google has updated Google Play Store to the new version 29.5. 16 which comes with a very small download package size of 24.15 Megabytes. This update brings new improvements to the user interface and optimizes the app performance by fixing some common bugs.
Does clear data delete everything? ›Clear cache: Deletes temporary data. Some apps can open slower the next time you use them. Clear data storage: Permanently deletes all app data. We recommend trying to delete from inside the app first.
What happens if I clear Google app cache? ›After you clear cache and cookies: Some settings on sites get deleted. For example, if you were signed in, you'll need to sign in again. Some sites can seem slower because content, like images, needs to load again.
Will clearing data delete game progress? ›If you delete data for a game, you might also delete any in-game achievements or progress, depending on how the developer has built the game.
How long does Google play store take to update install count? ›
So, we have decided to give a complete Google Play Store Range List below for everyone's preference. Here you can see and understand how Google Play Store shows numbers of installs now. If your app crosses any threshold, it takes around a week or so to update on the Play Store.
How long does it take to update app in Google Play console? ›How long does it take to update an app in the Google Play Console? Play Store indicates that it takes around 24 to 48 hours for an update to get reflected in the devices. Existing app updates are processed and published as quickly as possible (usually within an hour). The apps will use standard publishing by default.
How long does it take Google to approve new app? ›In the recent years, to scrutinise the low quality apps and policy violations, they added selective manual review for the new publishers and apps which are randomly selected by the system. Hence to put an Android app at Google Play, it may take 4 hours to 1 business day.
How do you refresh Google Play Store updates? ›...
How to update an Android app
- Open the Google Play Store app .
- At the top right, tap the profile icon.
- Tap Manage apps & device. Apps with an update available are labeled "Update available."
- Tap Update.
Your Android device should update the Google Play Store and all Android apps automatically. To manually update the app, open the Play Store's Settings menu and go to the About section, then tap Update Play Store.
Why are all my updates pending on Google Play Store? ›Here is how to fix download pending error
You may have to free up some space by uninstalling unused apps. At times, updates or security patches of your device might cause download issues. To ensure that the Android device is updated, go to System update under device settings.