Google May List In-App Purchase Price Ranges In The Play Store Later This Month

Developers are understandably upset about the new requirement that they provide a publicly visible address for paid apps in Google Play, but another interesting (and much more positive) tidbit has surfaced in relation to that change. The developer of the GoneMAD Music Player contacted Google to ask about the new policy. In addition to confirming address requirement, Google support says the Play Store will also start listing in-app purchase price ranges. Yes—a million times yes.

If you want background on the address requirement, check out our earlier post. As for this price range listing, it’s really the silver lining. Apple has listed the price of popular in-app purchases in iTunes for a while now, and it’s really useful information to have (see below). It’s not entirely clear how Google will list the IAP prices, but something is better than nothing (“price ranges” is pretty vague). And just to be clear, this is all based on a posting from a respected developer, not Google itself. It might technically count as hearsay, but it’s really good hearsay.

Google Play currently only shows you whether or not an app has IAPs, but there’s no way to tell if that means a single full version upgrade, or a two-tiered currency system designed to bleed you dry. Knowing what the developer is selling and how much it costs will help you decide if it’s worth your time.

Google says this change is being made in order to comply with “consumer protection laws,” but it’s not clear to which laws Google is referring. Maybe it’s just overcompensating in an effort to prevent more legal action in Europe. Whatever the reason, more in-app purchase transparency is a very good thing. The addresses, maybe not so much. Both changes are expected by September 30th, if the email is to be believed.

[Reddit – Thanks, Matthias]