Google Play Store has seen a major change in 2024. From the start of the year, the number of apps on the platform dropped from about 3.4 million to just 1.8 million. That’s nearly a 47% fall, as reported by Appfigures. This drop shows that Google is now cleaning up is app store in a big way.
Unlike Apple’s App Store, which saw a small increase in total apps this year, Google Play is shrinking. This shift is due to new rules and stronger review steps taken by Google. These changes aim to remove law-quality apps and protect Android users from scams and poor experiences.
One reason for the cleanup is that Google used to allow apps to enter the store with only basic checks. Unlike Apple’s long human reviews, Google often depended on fast and automatic systems. This made it easy for spam apps to enter the store. But in July 2024, Google raised its app quality standards. Now, apps with very little content, like simple PDF apps, text-only apps, or single-wallpaper apps, are no longer allowed.
Apps that serve no real function or appear to be fake are also being removed. Google has also increased its human reviews to better catch apps that may trick or mislead users. They’ve added new rules for personal developer accounts and are making developers pass more tests before publishing.
In 2024 alone, Google blocked 2.36 million that broke the rules and banned over 158,000 developer accounts. AI tools were also used to help detect harmful apps, boosting app safety. Google says it is also focusing on privacy; Apple also added this rule and did not lose apps.
Even with this cleanup, Google Play is still active. Appfigures said that over 10,400 new apps have launched in 2024 so far, showing a 7.1% rise compared to the same time last year.
This big drop means users may now see fewer apps, but those that remain are likely to be safer and more useful. Developers also benefit, as better apps are now easier to find in the store.
By
