Starting early next year, all apps on the Google Play store will indicate whether they're an ad-supported app. That includes banner ads, native ads and any third-party ad networks.

This change comes courtesy of an update to the company's developer requirements, though it's not exactly shocking.

Google initially launched the "ad-supported" label at Google I/O as part of the Designed for Families program. Basically, it's a section of the Play store specifically meant for kid-friendly apps that was announced in April and launched in June. This line of thinking follows suit to the Play store's similar labels for in-app purchases.

Developers have until Jan. 11, 2016 to adhere to the new policy on existing apps. Any updates to apps going forward from Jan. 11 will require the same ad declaration to be made, so there's no sneaky workaround of releasing it without ads and then adding them later. Well, developers can still do that, but it'll always be clear whether they have them afterward. If developers don't update by then, Google could possibly suspend them, and they'll also possibly "verify" whether ads are in an app going forward and add the label as appropriate.

Here's the full text of Google's notice to developers as a screen shot by one Eliseo Martelli (as posted by Android Police):

Hello Google Play Developer,

At Google I/O, we launched "ad-supported" labels for apps in the Designed for Families program. Today, we're announcing the expansion of this program to all apps on Google Play. Early next year, users will start to see the "Ads" label on apps that contain advertising, both inside and outside Designed for Families.

By January 11, 2016, you must sign in to the Play Developer Console and declare whether your apps contain ads (such as ads delivered through third-party ad networks, display ads, native ads, and/or banner ads). After this date, the ads declaration will be required to make any updates to your apps. Please note that misrepresenting ad presence violates Google Play Developer Program Policies and may lead to suspension. You can visit our help center to learn more.

While developers are responsible for accurately declaring ad presence in their apps, Google may verify this at any time and display the "Ads" label if appropriate.

If you feel your app has been incorrectly flagged for containing ads, please contact our policy support team.

Regards,

The Google Play Team

It's unclear exactly when the ad-supported labels will start appearing in the rest of the store, but one assumes it'll be after the Jan. 11 date for developers. When it does, no more sneaky promises of "free" apps when they're actually just serving ads.

Source: PCWorld