Google Forbids User Testimonials in Google Play App Descriptions

The new guidelines for the Google Play store restricts developers from including user testimonials in app descriptions.

According to the updated Google Play guidelines (via Android Police), developers are not allowed to include the user testimonials, as well as 'irrelevant keywords' which are unrelated to the function of the app, in app descriptions. The company says the move will stop developers from attempting to manipulate ranking or relevancy in Google Play search results.

The updated 'Unrelated keywords or references' section is found in the 'Spam & placement in the store' guidelines of Google Play, and reads, "Please do not include user testimonials in your app description. They tend to be dubious and are frequently utilized to include references to popular search terms and competitor apps in violation of the policies outlined here. Let your users speak for themselves via Play's comment review system."

Google has been proactive in taking action against developers who follow the practice of manipulating search algorithms, and Android Police notes that developers not following the new guidelines may see their apps being pulled from Google Play.

Recently, the updated Google's Developer Distribution Agreement section 4.5 had forced Amazon to revamp its all-in-one Amazon app because of its Amazon Appstore integration. The company had confirmed that the main Amazon app has been replaced by the Amazon Shopping app, which doesn't bear the Amazon Appstore for Android integration.

"We launched a new Amazon app for Android phones on September 9 that provides an award-winning mobile shopping experience, enables customers to discover and purchase all of Amazon's digital catalog, and provides customers access to the Prime Instant Video player and unlimited streaming of over 40,000 movies and TV episodes. Google subsequently changed their Developer Distribution Agreement on September 25. As a result, we removed the app from Google Play and published the Amazon Shopping app," said Amazon.

Notably, Google had changed section 4.5 in September, from "Non-compete," to "Alternative Stores", which now reads, "You may not use the Store to distribute or make available any Product which has a purpose that facilitates the distribution of software applications and games for use on Android devices outside of the Store."