Play Store Now Alerts You When An App Has Ads Prior To Downloading!

It kind of stinks when you look for a free app, find one worth downloading, just to find out that the thing you were really after requires an in app purchase, or requires you to look at endless annoying ads. Google has updated the Play Store to show you whether or not the app you are preparing to install contains ads or in-app purchases.

The change is apparently server side so you may or may not be able to see the change right now on your device. This is a win for Android users for sure.

via Reddit

In app purchases has been one of the permissions to accept for quite a while.

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While I'm glad to see the warning about ads before downloading, I automatically assume that a free app will have ads, so I don't see this as quite as big of a deal as letting me know about IAPs. That, to me, is more useful information.

What would be nice would be a warning that purchasing content won't remove ads. I recently downloaded a pinball game. I paid several dollars to unlock all of the different tables, thinking that would also remove the ads, but there are still occasional ads that pop up DURING gameplay. That would've been nice to know. I had Opinion Rewards money, so I gave them just over $10 between that and a little bit of "real" money, only to still have to deal with their ads.

Jonny Kansas said:

While I'm glad to see the warning about ads before downloading, I automatically assume that a free app will have ads, so I don't see this as quite as big of a deal as letting me know about IAPs. That, to me, is more useful information.

What would be nice would be a warning that purchasing content won't remove ads. I recently downloaded a pinball game. I paid several dollars to unlock all of the different tables, thinking that would also remove the ads, but there are still occasional ads that pop up DURING gameplay. That would've been nice to know. I had Opinion Rewards money, so I gave them just over $10 between that and a little bit of "real" money, only to still have to deal with their ads.

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I think you'd be amazed at the numbers who haven't yet figured out free equates to ads in most cases. There are a few that I've gotten over the years that don't have ads and they usually state no ads in their description. Since being burned a few years back (can't remember which it was but I think it was a dictionary) by one where I purchased premium and it didn't remove the ads, I started looking for reviews or descriptions that specifically state premium removes ads unless it's a freebie that I really find useful or extra well done. Then I go premium to support the developer regardless of ads or not without researching. Those that have gone to the full screen pop up during usage or dump junk into my notification bar are deleted after I post a review stating the nefarious act. We The users can be the best friend or worst enemy to developers by posting reviews that consist of greater detail than just "great" or "sucks", especially when it comes to how ads are embedded.

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What sucks is that I really enjoy the game. I tried several around the same time and this one offered the best graphics and physics along with the best bang for your buck as far as different tables you could play. I don't mind supporting the developers, but I definitely let my displeasure be known in the review section.

If I'd have been smarter, I would've looked closer at the reviews before buying, because I'm not the only one that's given them that complaint. I was more concerned with the reviews about how it looked/etc. and since I tried a few different ones at a time, I'm sure I got mixed up on what reviews were for what game. I bought the tables in-game, so didn't have quick access to the reviews. Will be more careful for sure in the future.

Free does not ALWAYS equal ads in my opinion, so I DO appreciate this.

all 4 Hue is free: No ads. Buy Premium to unlock features.
Same with:

• Rocket Player
• Groopic
• Ringdroid (no ads, always free)
• Keepass (no ads, always free)

They are out there, i assure you, as they live on my phone. Knowing ahead of time SAVES me some time and allows me to make more informed decisions.

PereDroid said:

Free does not ALWAYS equal ads in my opinion, so I DO appreciate this.

all 4 Hue is free: No ads. Buy Premium to unlock features.
Same with:

• Rocket Player
• Groopic
• Ringdroid (no ads, always free)
• Keepass (no ads, always free)

They are out there, i assure you, as they live on my phone. Knowing a head of time SAVES me some time and allows me to make more informed decisions.

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I suppose I could've been a bit more detailed when I said that I assume free means ads. I am also very pleasantly surprised if a free app doesn't bombard me with ads. I'm even more likely to spend money on "pro" versions/etc. if a free version doesn't try to nickel and dime me with ads that get in the way of me using the app.

I'm ok with small little ads here and there in moderation. If it means that a developer gets to make some money and I don't have to give it to them right away, I can live with that. That's why I say I like to assume that free means ads. When it doesn't, it's just an even better bonus experience to me.