LUCY HUGHES: Hi.
LUCY HUGHES: Hi.

I'm Lucy Hughes, UX lead at Google Play.
I'm Lucy Hughes, UX lead at Google Play.

Today, I'm going to walk you through all the new features
Today, I'm going to walk you through all the new features

our teams have built to help you power your growth on Play,
our teams have built to help you power your growth on Play,

as well as highlighting some important dates and deadlines
as well as highlighting some important dates and deadlines

for you to be aware of.
for you to be aware of.

We'll talk about improvements for trust and safety,
We'll talk about improvements for trust and safety,

tools to boost your app quality and improve monetization,
tools to boost your app quality and improve monetization,

some updates for games, and a new store listing certificate
some updates for games, and a new store listing certificate

course.
course.

So let's get started.
So let's get started.

Google Play is committed to providing
Google Play is committed to providing

a safe and secure platform that protects both you, app
a safe and secure platform that protects both you, app

and games businesses, and the billions of people
and games businesses, and the billions of people

who trust Google Play to discover the latest
who trust Google Play to discover the latest

Android content.
Android content.

Earlier this year, we shared details about the upcoming data
Earlier this year, we shared details about the upcoming data

safety section in the Play Store,
safety section in the Play Store,

which will let users know the type of data
which will let users know the type of data

your app collects and stores, and how that data is used.
your app collects and stores, and how that data is used.

By giving you a way to showcase your approach to privacy
By giving you a way to showcase your approach to privacy

and security, we're not only building user trust,
and security, we're not only building user trust,

we're helping people make informed decisions
we're helping people make informed decisions

about the apps they install and use.
about the apps they install and use.

Users will see the new data safety section
Users will see the new data safety section

in Play Store starting in February.
in Play Store starting in February.

We know that some of you will need more time
We know that some of you will need more time

to assess your apps and coordinate with multiple teams.
to assess your apps and coordinate with multiple teams.

So we're giving you until April before your apps
So we're giving you until April before your apps

must have this section completed and approved.
must have this section completed and approved.

You can start filling out the required data safety
You can start filling out the required data safety

form in Play Console now.
form in Play Console now.

We encourage you to get started early
We encourage you to get started early

and submit your information for review
and submit your information for review

as soon as possible before the April deadline.
as soon as possible before the April deadline.

For more information, including guidance
For more information, including guidance

on how to fill out the form, you can read our Help Center
on how to fill out the form, you can read our Help Center

article, or watch our session, Get Prepared
article, or watch our session, Get Prepared

for the Data Safety Section.
for the Data Safety Section.

You can find the link for the session
You can find the link for the session

in the video description below.
in the video description below.

The new Play Integrity API helps protect your apps and games
The new Play Integrity API helps protect your apps and games

from abuse and attacks.
from abuse and attacks.

It helps you detect risky or untrustworthy interactions
It helps you detect risky or untrustworthy interactions

with your app so your backend server can
with your app so your backend server can

decide whether or not to trust the interaction.
decide whether or not to trust the interaction.

At launch, the API will send you three signals.
At launch, the API will send you three signals.

Is this your unmodified binary?
Is this your unmodified binary?

Is this a genuine Play install?
Is this a genuine Play install?

And is this a genuine Android device
And is this a genuine Android device

running Google Play services?
running Google Play services?

If any of those signals are not what you expect,
If any of those signals are not what you expect,

your server can decide what your app should do next
your server can decide what your app should do next

to reduce the risk, such as asking
to reduce the risk, such as asking

the user for verification or reducing access
the user for verification or reducing access

to functionality.
to functionality.

We've been working closely with developers
We've been working closely with developers

to test the API, which is already
to test the API, which is already

being used in production to protect apps and games.
being used in production to protect apps and games.

The Play Integrity API will be rolling out to everyone
The Play Integrity API will be rolling out to everyone

over the next few months.
over the next few months.

We'll be publishing a preview of the integration guide
We'll be publishing a preview of the integration guide

very soon at the URL shown on the screen,
very soon at the URL shown on the screen,

along with information about migrating
along with information about migrating

to the new API from SafetyNet device attestation
to the new API from SafetyNet device attestation

and Play licensing.
and Play licensing.

To learn more, watch our session,
To learn more, watch our session,

Play Integrity API, which is linked
Play Integrity API, which is linked

in the video description.
in the video description.

Another major contributor to your app's success
Another major contributor to your app's success

in Google Play is quality.
in Google Play is quality.

In fact, nearly 3/4 of five-star reviews on Google Play
In fact, nearly 3/4 of five-star reviews on Google Play

mention the quality of the app experience
mention the quality of the app experience

in terms of performance, design, and usability.
in terms of performance, design, and usability.

Because quality is so important, we
Because quality is so important, we

are constantly making changes to surface the higher-quality apps
are constantly making changes to surface the higher-quality apps

in the Play Store.
in the Play Store.

To make the most of Google Play, you
To make the most of Google Play, you

need to invest in the quality of your app,
need to invest in the quality of your app,

but what does that quality really mean?
but what does that quality really mean?

App quality includes the overall experience
App quality includes the overall experience

of the app, its technical quality, and the quality
of the app, its technical quality, and the quality

of your listing on Google Play.
of your listing on Google Play.

So to help you maximize your success,
So to help you maximize your success,

we've released several updates to help you improve
we've released several updates to help you improve

the performance of your app.
the performance of your app.

Let's start with your technical quality.
Let's start with your technical quality.

First, we're making it easier for you
First, we're making it easier for you

to spot new issues with improvements to Android vitals.
to spot new issues with improvements to Android vitals.

Your most recent data is now more
Your most recent data is now more

visible to help you spot issues faster.
visible to help you spot issues faster.

And we've added trends, filters, and app version information
And we've added trends, filters, and app version information

to help you quickly identify the source of the issue.
to help you quickly identify the source of the issue.

These improvements were made possible
These improvements were made possible

by some new capabilities available in Android 10,
by some new capabilities available in Android 10,

so look out for new features soon.
so look out for new features soon.

We're also making some changes to ratings and reviews
We're also making some changes to ratings and reviews

to make them more indicative of the experience
to make them more indicative of the experience

that each user can expect.
that each user can expect.

Starting in November, users on phones
Starting in November, users on phones

will start to see ratings specific to their registered
will start to see ratings specific to their registered

country.
country.

Then, in early 2022, users will see rating specific
Then, in early 2022, users will see rating specific

to the device that they're on, including
to the device that they're on, including

form factors such as tablets, chromebooks, and wearables.
form factors such as tablets, chromebooks, and wearables.

You can preview your location-specific and
You can preview your location-specific and

device-specific ratings in Play Console today.
device-specific ratings in Play Console today.

We encourage you to check them out now
We encourage you to check them out now

so you have time to make any app quality
so you have time to make any app quality

improvements before the new ratings are
improvements before the new ratings are

shown to Play Store users.
shown to Play Store users.

When we look at quality, we also consider
When we look at quality, we also consider

the reach of your high-quality experience.
the reach of your high-quality experience.

That's why we recently launched a new tooling console called
That's why we recently launched a new tooling console called

Reach and Devices to help you understand which
Reach and Devices to help you understand which

features or fixes would help you reach the most users on Google
features or fixes would help you reach the most users on Google

Play.
Play.

By understanding your user and issue distribution,
By understanding your user and issue distribution,

you can make more informed decisions
you can make more informed decisions

about which specs to build for, where to launch,
about which specs to build for, where to launch,

and what to test to make the biggest impact.
and what to test to make the biggest impact.

Stay tuned for more in this space in the next year.
Stay tuned for more in this space in the next year.

Of course, one of the biggest aspects
Of course, one of the biggest aspects

of growing your business on Google Play
of growing your business on Google Play

is earning money from your app or game.
is earning money from your app or game.

This year, we've made changes to help
This year, we've made changes to help

you monetize your apps and reinvest in your business,
you monetize your apps and reinvest in your business,

offering you more options and flexibility.
offering you more options and flexibility.

Earlier this year, we announced that the service
Earlier this year, we announced that the service

fee for the first $1 million in earnings is now 15%.
fee for the first $1 million in earnings is now 15%.

Today, more than 99% of all developers
Today, more than 99% of all developers

are eligible for a service fee of 15% or less.
are eligible for a service fee of 15% or less.

If you haven't already enrolled, please
If you haven't already enrolled, please

do so at the link shown on the screen.
do so at the link shown on the screen.

The 15% rate is effective from the day that you enroll.
The 15% rate is effective from the day that you enroll.

We're also constantly adding new features
We're also constantly adding new features

to the Billing Library, including new ways for users
to the Billing Library, including new ways for users

to pay, subscription promotion capabilities,
to pay, subscription promotion capabilities,

purchase attribution for games, and improvements to purchase
purchase attribution for games, and improvements to purchase

reliability and security.
reliability and security.

Today, I'm excited to announce one
Today, I'm excited to announce one

of those new features coming in Billing Library version
of those new features coming in Billing Library version

4, in-app messaging.
4, in-app messaging.

Today, subscription users that go into payment decline
Today, subscription users that go into payment decline

often aren't aware of it or experience too much friction
often aren't aware of it or experience too much friction

to fix their payment.
to fix their payment.

The best place for users to learn about their payment
The best place for users to learn about their payment

decline and fix it is in the app itself.
decline and fix it is in the app itself.

But too often, we hear from developers
But too often, we hear from developers

that it's a lot of work to determine the user's payment
that it's a lot of work to determine the user's payment

state and show the right messaging.
state and show the right messaging.

That's why we're announcing a new API that
That's why we're announcing a new API that

can detect whether a user is in payment decline
can detect whether a user is in payment decline

and show a helpful message right in your app.
and show a helpful message right in your app.

This allows users to immediately fix the payment
This allows users to immediately fix the payment

without leaving the app to go to the Play Store.
without leaving the app to go to the Play Store.

Best of all, the integration is super easy.
Best of all, the integration is super easy.

It's just a few lines of code.
It's just a few lines of code.

We've already seen positive results
We've already seen positive results

from our early access partners.
from our early access partners.

On average, developers saw a 99% improvement
On average, developers saw a 99% improvement

in subscription recovery for users who saw the message.
in subscription recovery for users who saw the message.

In-app messaging will be available
In-app messaging will be available

in the next Billing Library release,
in the next Billing Library release,

so stay tuned for more information.
so stay tuned for more information.

In order to help you benefit from these features
In order to help you benefit from these features

and keep your infrastructure modern and up to date,
and keep your infrastructure modern and up to date,

we've established a yearly cadence
we've established a yearly cadence

for updating to the minimum Billing Library version.
for updating to the minimum Billing Library version.

As a reminder, all updates to existing apps
As a reminder, all updates to existing apps

must use Billing Library version 3 or newer by November the 1st.
must use Billing Library version 3 or newer by November the 1st.

After November 1, you won't be able to publish
After November 1, you won't be able to publish

apps that use older integrations, AIDL,
apps that use older integrations, AIDL,

Billing Library version 1, or Billing Library version 2.
Billing Library version 1, or Billing Library version 2.

Apps already in the Play Store can
Apps already in the Play Store can

continue to be downloaded and process in-app purchases.
continue to be downloaded and process in-app purchases.

However, any subsequent app releases
However, any subsequent app releases

will require Billing Library version 3 or newer.
will require Billing Library version 3 or newer.

Updating to Billing Library version 3 or newer
Updating to Billing Library version 3 or newer

is simple and requires just a few updates to your code.
is simple and requires just a few updates to your code.

More information about the changes
More information about the changes

can be found in the release notes in our developer
can be found in the release notes in our developer

documentation.
documentation.

We've also made improvements for our game developers.
We've also made improvements for our game developers.

Now in early access, the updated sign-in API
Now in early access, the updated sign-in API

for Play Game Services drastically
for Play Game Services drastically

simplifies the sign-in implementation.
simplifies the sign-in implementation.

In fact, it's now just a single line of code.
In fact, it's now just a single line of code.

It gives you a convenient way to sign in your players
It gives you a convenient way to sign in your players

and save their game progression.
and save their game progression.

You can then retrieve player game data
You can then retrieve player game data

to allow returning players to continue
to allow returning players to continue

playing from their last save point from any device.
playing from their last save point from any device.

You can integrate popular gaming features such as achievements
You can integrate popular gaming features such as achievements

and leaderboards.
and leaderboards.

We've also simplified the setup for users,
We've also simplified the setup for users,

combining the Google Play games install and profile creation
combining the Google Play games install and profile creation

into one step.
into one step.

This allows users to get back to their game
This allows users to get back to their game

more quickly, even if they don't have Play Games installed.
more quickly, even if they don't have Play Games installed.

We're streamlining the process of opting in to auto sign-in
We're streamlining the process of opting in to auto sign-in

for an even smoother experience for returning users.
for an even smoother experience for returning users.

But that's not all.
But that's not all.

Needing to have the Google Play Games app installed
Needing to have the Google Play Games app installed

is creating friction for some users.
is creating friction for some users.

So starting in 2022, Play Game Services
So starting in 2022, Play Game Services

will no longer require installation.
will no longer require installation.

This change will allow 2 billion users
This change will allow 2 billion users

to sign in to your Play Game Services-enabled games
to sign in to your Play Game Services-enabled games

with a zero-touch experience.
with a zero-touch experience.

Stay tuned for more details.
Stay tuned for more details.

In the meantime, you can express your interest
In the meantime, you can express your interest

in the Play Game Services early access
in the Play Game Services early access

program on our developer site.
program on our developer site.

And last but not least, I'm pleased to announce
And last but not least, I'm pleased to announce

the launch of the Google Play Store Listing Certificate.
the launch of the Google Play Store Listing Certificate.

This new program is designed to help app marketers demonstrate
This new program is designed to help app marketers demonstrate

their proficiency and skills in Play Store listing
their proficiency and skills in Play Store listing

best practices.
best practices.

To get certified, you can take our online training
To get certified, you can take our online training

at Google Play Academy and learn best practices to help you best
at Google Play Academy and learn best practices to help you best

tell your app or game story.
tell your app or game story.

You'll learn key skills that will help you drive growth
You'll learn key skills that will help you drive growth

through high-quality and policy-compliant store
through high-quality and policy-compliant store

listings.
listings.

After the training, take the exam
After the training, take the exam

to get an industry-recognized certificate.
to get an industry-recognized certificate.

You can use your certificate to promote yourself
You can use your certificate to promote yourself

to the communities, projects, and employers
to the communities, projects, and employers

that are important to you.
that are important to you.

Make yourself stand out, whether it's in your own organization
Make yourself stand out, whether it's in your own organization

or in the industry.
or in the industry.

We hope you take advantage of all these tools, features,
We hope you take advantage of all these tools, features,

and programs to grow your businesses on Google Play.
and programs to grow your businesses on Google Play.

Please continue sharing your feedback
Please continue sharing your feedback

so we can continue to build the tools you need
so we can continue to build the tools you need

to power your growth on Play.
to power your growth on Play.

Thanks for being part of the Google Play community.
Thanks for being part of the Google Play community.

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