Hajra Naz
The number of apps available in Google Play’s app store is drastically dropping. Appfigures reports that there are now just about 1.8 million apps, down from over 3.4 million at the beginning of 2024. The size of the Android app ecosystem has significantly shrunk by 47%. This suggests that the ecology of Android apps has shrunk by about 47 percent.
Comparison with Apple’s App Store
Unlike Google Play, the iOS App Store has seen only a minor change in app numbers during the same period. Apple’s app count grew slightly, moving from 1.6 million apps to around 1.64 million apps, showing a modest increase, while Google Play has faced a more dramatic loss.
Why the Decline Could Be Good News for Users
While the decline is concerning at first, it could benefit Android users. The market may see fewer spam-filled, scammy, and low-quality apps as a result of the decline in app counts. Users may find it simpler to find and install programs that offer genuine value. This could make it easier for users to discover and install apps that provide real value.
Google Play’s Quality Control Challenges
For years, the marketplace has been overrun with inferior apps due to Google Play’s lenient app review standards. Unlike Apple, which enforces a strict app review system, Google has relied more heavily on automated checks and malware scans, speeding up the process but sometimes overlooking apps that fail to meet higher standards.
Google Play’s New Quality Standards and Policy Changes
Google declared in July 2024 that it would increase the platform’s basic app quality standards. Apps that were poorly designed or provided limited functionality were now being banned. Google began removing apps that:
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Had static content (like simple text or PDF files)
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Had little to no content (such as single wallpaper apps)
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Were non-functional or left unfinished
This move is part of Google’s effort to clean up its store and ensure a better experience.
Google’s Expanded Verification and App Testing
Google confirmed that its new policies and expanded verification requirements were a key factor in the app reduction. The company now mandates app testing for new developer accounts and has added more human reviews to identify apps that attempt to deceive or harm users.
Due to Google’s efforts, 2.36 million apps that violated the company’s policies were kept from being released in 2024. More than 158,000 developer accounts were banned for trying to upload malicious software.
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The Impact of the EU’s Trader Status Rule
Another factor in the decline of apps could be the EU’s new trader status rule, introduced in February 2024. This regulation requires developers to share their names and addresses in app listings. Apps failing to comply with this requirement are being removed from the EU app stores. Interestingly, while Apple also implemented this rule, it did not see a decline in app availability.
Appfigures Observes Declining Trends Before Official Purge
Appfigures had been noticing a decline in the number of apps on Google Play even before the official purge began last summer. Although the firm doesn’t have a clear explanation for the trend, it notes that 10,400 new apps have been released on the platform this year, showing a 7.1% year-over-year increase as of April.
