Publish Your Free Android App to Google Play – Explanation

Yesterday we briefly hit on a number of tips that will help you when publishing your free Android app to the GooglePlay app store, today I want to go into a little more detail with each of the tips to assist you in your publication process.

The two main tips that you need to understand in details are: ASO – App Store Optimization and Google Play moderation.

What is App Store Optimization?

Have you ever heard website owners stressing over their SEO, Search Engine Optimization, a process undertaken to ensure a website it found on Google? Well, ASO is the same process for the app store. App Store Optimization has been created to help your app improve its organic search results. What this means in simple terms is improving the chances of your app being found when someone searches for a particular search term. Competition is harsh in GooglePlay and getting your uploaded app found is one part of the battle. For more information on ASO please click through here to our recent ASO post.

How to publish free Android App on Google Play Store?

1. Create Free Android App

To create a free Android App with Appsgeyser, you can start by opening AppsGeyser.com – free App Builder. On the platform, you can create Android apps without any coding knowledge or extra costs. AppsGeyser offers over 30 app templates that include website templates, blog templates, Facebook templates, messenger templates, book reader templates, and more.

2. OPEN A GOOGLE PLAY DEVELOPER CONSOLE ACCOUNT

To upload Android apps you need to create an account on the Google Play Developer Console.  The Google Developer Console will allow you to upload your Android app to the Google Play Store while also having access to the controls and settings after the first upload was made.

To use the Google Play Developer Console, there is a once-off fee of $25, which will come with varied functions and control features. You will also need to complete a sign-up form, and wait for approval before your account can be used. The approval time after your information was submitted is around 48 hours.

3. Prepare Your Android App Listing

To publish your first Android app, you need to make sure that have the following things: a name, an app description, a short description, screenshots of how your app works, app categories, and a privacy policy. 

AppsGeyser provides a privacy policy for every app created on the appsGeyser platform so you don’t have to stress too much about that. When it comes to the name and description of your Android app, make sure you include the relevant keywords so people can find your listing on the Google Play store. Another thing to keep in mind is to keep your screenshots in high quality with a ratio of 2:1 or 16:9. After you are happy with your app name, and screenshots were added, you need to choose the correct category. The most popular app categories on Google Play include; games, education, and business. Remember to choose an age rating for your app.

4. Upload Your APK Files to the Developer’s console

Now that you have named your app, it is finally time to upload your app to the Google Play store. You will do this by uploading the APK file of your app to the Google Play Developers Console. Before you start with the process, you need to make sure that your app follows Google Play rules. If you face any issues with uploading your APK file, you can follow our guide for publishing apps.

5. Release Your App to the World

Before you release your app to the world, you need to review your app to make sure everything works. After uploading your APK files, your app will be revised by Google. Google can take up to 7 days to review and publish your app to the Google Play store.

What is Google Play moderation?

Until a few months ago, GooglePlay did not moderate their apps, pretty much anyone could upload any app regardless of the quality and content. This has now changed and GooglePlay are now moderating apps. Do not panic too much, GooglePlay will not review your app in the same eyes as Apple does, you do not have to produce apps that are as intricate as the professional apps like Angry Birds. The GooglePlay review process briefly checks that the app is usable and does not contain inappropriate material.

In order to understand where you stand with your app you will see one of two things occur when you upload your Android app:

1. Your app will appear as published in Google Developer Console (however it will take 2-3 days to appear in GooglePlay)

2. Your app will appear as Draft in Google Developer Console – This does not mean it won’t be published within 2-3 days, what it means is that it is being held for app review.

Why is my app held as a draft?

Many new apps will be initially held as a draft, the reasons for this are:

1. This is your first app and GooglePlay may wish to check your credibility as an app maker.

2. Your app name contains some words that trigger GooglePlay’s attention this may be because the name looks like it could be spam or it may look as though it is copyright of another brand.

3. Perfect App description – This may not be complete, or may be too short or vague. GooglePlay want app descriptions to be as clear and concise as possible so that app users are not wasting their time downloading apps that are not relevant to the app name or app description. Descriptions need to be keyword strong, content relevant and not written in a robotic style.

4. Incompletion of datafields – It you have not completed all the fields in your app developer console, or put what looks like junk in these fields your app will be picked up for review. This is because GooglePlay want to make sure that the app is a real app and not junk.

I hope these tips have helped you understand GooglePlay and what you need to consider prior to publication.

Frequently Asked Questions