Once again, our hard working friends at Google created yet again another revision of the Google policy.
What new does it include you may ask?
Well I have sifted through the jungle of information to break down what I think will benefit you the indie developer.
Let's start with the link to the Policy affective as of March 28, 2014.
Content Policies
Sexually Explicit Material: Google doesn't not want to see any apps that display "explicit material, such as porn or any app promoting porn. This includes sexually explicit or erotic content, icons, titles or descriptions
Violence and Bullying: I guess this here is new. Apps should not contain materials that threaten, harass or bully other users. (Sidenote:) I don't think an app can bully anyone, I do however think people may use social apps to bully others, but isn't that on the "user" end? Please help me clarify this..?
Hate Speech: No Bueno
Intellectual Property: Don't be a copy cat
App Dev Empire!
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Friday, September 11, 2015
Friday, January 10, 2014
Alternative Android Marketplaces to Upload your Apps!.... Google banned you.. NOW WHAT?!
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| To Be Kicked Out of Google Play Store |
I've had several developers that have had their accounts remove indefinitely for what Google viewed as a "violation" of their developer policy.
Some of these violations range from uploading fan apps, that had mistakenly copyrighted assets, to using ad networks that weren't compliant with Google's new developer policy.
Now you know me, I can't bad mouth Google, I've earned very solid money with them, and I'm thankful for what they've done for the mobile space, but I have to admit- it is very tough to work under such constraints and the possible risk of getting booted out. This begs the question, "If I'm no longer allowed to Play, pun intended, in the Google play store, What the "EFF" do I do?"
Don't worry you talent, and you build solid apps/widgets/wallpapers. You just need to find new marketplaces to up load your them.
Here are my Top 5 (and other) Alternative Marketplaces to Google Play Store:
Pros: Very easy to use and sign up. If you have an Amazon account your in! (I provided a link to it on the icon to above.) Streamlined and easy interface to upload your apps. I think they did a much better job than Google Play.
Cons: Not instant app approval.so you are going to have to wait an average of 2-4 days for review and approval.
2. Opera Marketplace Pros: I happened to be very happy with Opera Mobile Marketplace solid downloads and a good alternative to Google play. With anything I would you all the stores I suggest. Cons: Reporting kind of sucks.
3. Soc.io Mall Pros: Very streamlined and immediate upload to their marketplace. Cons: Stats and reporting are not as robust as others.
4. Andapponline.com Pros: Very streamlined and immediate upload to their marketplace. Cons: Stats and reporting are not as robust as others.
5. Mobango.com Pros: Immediate upload to their marketplace. Live within a day or so. Multiple language submission, German, Italian, Spanish and English. Cons: Downloads are not going to be anywhere near Google play, but it is another place for you to distribute your apps.GetJar.com
Here's more for you....
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Response to Dartmouth Research on why "mobile ads don't work."
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| Extra Extra! Pesky Newsletters! |
I must confess, I have this bad habit of subscribing to industry newsletters, but to my defense, I often delete them from my in box. This leads me to this blog post, other day was rather different, I got my usual newsletter from AdWeek, but this one in particular caught my attention. The headline was:
The Top 7 Reasons Why Mobile Ads Don't Work Dartmouth study sheds light on mobile vs. Web...
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| Walter White aka "Heisenberg" |
Hmm, ok like the all so infamous Walter White of Breaking Bad told his Narc brother-in-law Hank, "You got me"!
This definitely caught my interest. Then after reading it, I realized that Dartmouth, those Ivy Leaguer's...., were basing their information on wrong assumptions. The biggest mistake was equivocate mobile advertising to web advertising... Hmmm big fail.
Mobile advertising is a stark contrast from the perspective that advertisers are 90-95% app and game studios which use "performance-based" advertising, rather than brand "impression-based" advertising.
Let me explain the differences- on mobile, most advertisers are actual apps looking for an install (performance-based), while on web most advertisers are brands which are looking to fill "impressions" or running a branding type campaign and not requiring an action but rather all they care about is views.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Android vs iOS- It all comes down to the quality of user..
With no surprise, to "people-in-the-know," we see that iOS' monthly app user base is worth more than Android.
This begs the question, why is this the case?
So I thought I would lend my two cents on "why"and see if you have any additional thoughts. I believe when comparing Apple vs Android the app ecosystem of both platforms are completely different, thus the users are completely different.
This is not by accident, but rather by design. Where Apple ask for a credit card upfront with a creation of an iTunes account, Google just requires you to open, or use, a free Gmail account.
Note: When we mention "free" in referring to Google, let me emphasis that everything Google does comes with a price. In this case "Free" simply means, "view ads."
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Google Play Developer Policy May Spell Doom for the Indie Developer
All signs point to Google doing a little bit of ecosystem cleaning. Google recently announced it's newest Developer Policy and it seems that Google is trying to make Google Play more like iTunes more than ever before now.
For the Indie developer, and axillary mobile ad networks, like; Airpush, StartApps, TapContext, SendDroid and Leadbolt, this could have serious repercussions to their bottom line.
These changes were announced last Friday, August 23rd and will be in full effect for all new applications submitted. Any "per-existing" application must achieve compliance or be voluntarily unpublished by the developer within 30 days of issuance of this notification.
You see most indie developers are dependent on ad revenue as the only form of income, specifically on Android.We're not talking about traditional ad units like standard mobile banners and full-sized interstitial, rather "out-of-app" advertising units that most users detest, specifically; "Push Notifications" and "App Icons".
These ad units render in the "notification tray" of the Android device and the "Icon ads" set when a user download an app on the device's home screen.
The ad unit is an "uninvited guest" as it downloads along with the intended app, like a tool bar plugin in the days of search tool bars. Needless to say, these ad types were a great source of earning potential for the developer, especially for the developers that were building "live Wallpapers and Widgets" type apps, where it was virtually impossible to run standard ad types.
The new Google policy prohibits these "out-of-app" ad types. Here are Google's exact words:
- System Interference:
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- An app downloaded from Google Play (or its components or derivative elements) must not make changes to the user’s device outside of the app without the user’s knowledge and consent.
- This includes behavior such as replacing or reordering the default presentation of apps, widgets, or the settings on the device. If an app makes such changes with the user’s knowledge and consent, it must be clear to the user which app has made the change and the user must be able to reverse the change easily, or by uninstalling the app altogether.
- Apps and their ads must not add homescreen shortcuts, browser bookmarks, or icons on the user’s device as a service to third parties or for advertising purposes.
- Apps and their ads must not display advertisements through system level notifications on the user’s device, unless the notifications derive from an integral feature provided by the installed app. (e.g., an airline app that notifies users of special deals, or a game that notifies users of in-game promotions).
- Apps must not encourage, incentivize, or mislead users into removing or disabling third-party apps except as part of a security service provided by the app.
Ad Policy
The policy below covers all ads that are implemented in and bundled with apps. These rules are important in maintaining a positive experience for everyone using Android apps from Google Play. Be sure to check back from time to time, as these policies may change.
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Ads Context
Ads must not simulate or impersonate the user interface of any app, or notification and warning elements of an operating system.To sum this up and be 100% clear that no ambiguity exist here Google clearly is prohibiting Push Notifications and App Icons. It mentions it several times to make no doubt that it will enforce this rule.What does this mean for you the developer?As mentioned, these ad units will be obsolete in the Google Play ecosystem. If you've only submitting to Google play as the only source of distribution, now is the time to diversify to secondary marketplaces.
App Publish to various Android Marketplaces We have compiled a list of "other" marketplaces for your convenience and to help you out. It is possible that some of these marketplaces will follow suit, so it is imperative that you start looking these secondary and regionalized marketplaces.One company that has lead the way to help the developer regarding this issue has been Inmobi. They have been in the forefront of app distribution "as-a-tool" by recently acquiring a company called App-Publish. We actually had a chance to meet the creator, Charles McLeod, at the last GDC and he is a solid guy. App-Publish will let the developer publish to over 30 marketplaces all in one spot.I have also included my small list that I've compiled over the past three years to help you out a bit.Lastly, in regarding to app monetization and ad networks, I would highly recommend to use a mediation layer or mediation tool to take advantage of most ad networks. I'm currently involved launching a new mediation tool that will be sure to please. Stay tuned, more details to follow. (Note: shameless plug; email me at info@clickgeniemedia.com)Android Marketplaces:
Top 5 Questions to Ask Developers When Outsourcing Apps
Ever hear this line?
"I have this great idea for this app, it will have million of dollars,.....here it is ..... oh and by the way, how much will it cost?"
Sadly this comment is all too common.
Many don't quite realize the undertaking and how much ones "app" idea can actually cost. Many say, "well, I'll outsource it for dirt cheap to India."
Yes, that is an option however, most company's or individuals outsourced specialize in certain areas of multifaceted system. Not to mention the various technical requirements the app may carry like additional hosting, or if the app will be pulling results it may have to be pulling results other servers ... The list goes on and on.
A bit of advise, before going in on this "game changing app" consider the following:
If outsourced:
- Does the developer provide a "wireframe" and "architecture"?
- If so, is this included as part of the quote?
- Can the app be compatible on various platform? ie: iOS Appstore, Google Play, Windows 8, BlackBerry
- Does the app service include design?
- How many weeks/months of additional support does the developer offer?
- Does the developer provide app updates? If so how many?
- Does the developer provide adding additional Ad Network SDK's
If you need help, I'm always here contact me at info@clickgeniemedia.com and follow me on twitter @inappertising
Feel free to leave comments!
PS: For the next time we will discuss additional app requirements, app distribution, and most importantly how is the app going to make you money.
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