Understanding Google Play's 'Better ad experiences' policy

Unexpected ads hurt the user experience and dilute user trust in the ecosystem, and we want to ensure high-quality experiences for users when they use Google Play apps. By setting standards for unexpected ad experiences for users while using their apps, we aim to improve the user’s overall in-app experience.

The 'Better ad experiences' policy principle is to prevent unexpected full-screen interstitials, typically when the user has chosen to do something else. 'Unexpected' usually means that users are in the middle of doing something, or clicked on a button expecting to start their user journey, rather than see an ad.

The CBA has given some examples of how ads, positioned in a certain way, are considered unexpected. We’ve also listed these examples in our policy to help give developers more clarity. A couple of examples are ads that appear at the beginning of a game level or ads that appear at the beginning of a content segment.

You may want to consider placing ads where users would expect to see them. Industry research indicates that users may expect to see ads at the end of a game level or content segment, or when an ad allows users to continue engaging with their in-app experience, such as through integrated or non-full-screen ads.

You can show interstitial ads at natural breaks in transition, such as at the end of the game level or content section, as long as it complies with Google Play’s Ad policy. Examples of the end of game levels and content sections may include the break after the score screen in a gaming app or the end of a chapter in an audiobook.

You know your app best, and you are best positioned to implement ads that do not interfere with the user experience. If your game does not have natural breaks, we expect you to exercise good judgment from a UX perspective in showing interstitial ads in a way that does not interfere with the user's in-app experience. 

Additionally, you can also continue to use rewarded ads and integrated or non-full-screen ads that do not interfere with normal app use or gameplay (for example, video content with integrated, non-full-screen banner ads) as long as it complies with Google Play’s Ad policy.

Rewarded ads provide an opportunity for users to watch a video or engage with a playable ad in exchange for a reward within the app. They may present through an ad prompt, an opt-in choice, an ad reward or similar. When users explicitly express that they want to engage with an ad, there is no concern with unexpectedness and this policy does not apply. 

Examples may include an ad that a game app explicitly offers the user to watch in exchange for unlocking a specific game feature or a piece of content. Since users have explicitly opted into rewarded ad experience, these ads are allowed as long as they follow all of our Developer Programme Policies.

All app developers are responsible for the code in their apps, including from third-party SDKs and libraries. You can update your app placement and format within your app code, configure ad SDK settings, or consult your ads SDK provider on the best ways to comply.

A splash screen is an introductory screen that appears while your application loads in the background. You may see the company logo accompanied by some text or more imagery that enhances a user’s first impression. However, please note that not all apps have a splash screen and can simply load the homepage when clicked open.

Examples of splash screens:

As long as it complies with Google Play’s Ad policy, you can show a static interstitial ad after your app has loaded. If your app does not have a splash screen, wait for your app home screen to load before showing ads.

For more information on Better Ads Standards, refer to the Coalition for Better Ads.