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Google bans ‘repetitive content’ from Play Store, Gmail and Inbox somehow unaffected
July 08, 2025
The Chrome Web Store’s content policiesgot a big overhaul recently, so it was only a matter of time before theGoogle Play Storefollowed suit. That day has come, as we recently learned that a huge sweep ofGoogle Play Store policy updatesjust landed.
Almost all the updates have to do with banning or limiting content that the Play Store will host.
The broadest (and in some ways most comical) update is that Google will now ban “multiple apps with highly similar content and user experience,” or “apps that are created by an automated tool, wizard service, or based on templates and submitted to Google Play by the operator of that service on behalf of other persons.” The second half makes perfect sense, but the first half? Ummm…Google, have you looked in the mirror lately?Gmail and Inboxare growing ever closer to being pretty much the same, and that’s not the only example ofthe company’s endless app overlap.
Continuing on, Google will also ban crypto mining applications. This isn’t too surprising, ascrypto miners were also bannedfrom the Chrome Web Store due to rogue apps mining crypto without users knowing that’s what they do.
Applications which “facilitate the sale of explosives, firearms, ammunition, or certain firearms accessories” are also now banned. This one will likely ruffle the feathers of some Americans, but there are apps out there that train you on how to make your own guns and explosives. I think the Play Store can live without apps like that.
The final three types of apps that are now banned get filed in the “This makes perfect sense, why hasn’t this always been the case?” category. Those apps include:
If you have a few hours to spare, you can read the entireGoogle Developer Policy here.
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