You know those promotional videos that you sometimes see on some app and game pages – depending on if the developer has created one – within Google Play . Well it appears that some of those are appearing on the main Google Play Store screen now. At least according to a few users. This means that Google is once again testing a way to promote more apps and games and drive more downloads from its users. It’s appearing for some, however it’s not appearing for us (we’ve checked on a few devices), so it’s likely a server-side switch that’s being flipped for a small group of users.
Google often times tests features and adjustments to the layout of apps like Google Play quite often. The reason for this is to see user reaction to the changes and to see if it’s really necessary. Some of these changes that we see ahead of time do get put into the app, and often times it doesn’t. Google isn’t the only one that does this with their apps, earlier today we posted about Twitter testing out a new dedicated GIF button in the compose window of their Android app.
The videos show up just as they would in the app listings (although the icons appear to be pretty small, so they don’t use up the entire display). And you should be able to just tap the video and watch it to see what the app does and why you should download it. The UI is pretty similar to the developer pages that Google had begun rolling out last year on Google Play. Showing the video along with the app name, rating, price and the 3-dotted menu. Allowing you to get all the info you need for that app or game in one spot. Additionally, it appears that This is happening with both free and paid apps and games. So it’s likely something that will be happening with any app on the Play Store that has a promotional video. This could be a way for Google to talk developers into making promotional videos for their apps and games.