Incident #B151F2 · 30 OCT 2026minor
Google Play reopens Families ad SDK programme and announces subscription discount disclosure rules
The page adds a notice that subscriptions with ongoing eligibility-based discounts (such as student plans) must disclose eligibility criteria, verification and post-eligibility pricing, effective 27 January 2027. The Families Self-Certified Ads SDK programme is reopened to applicants, with new requirements such as registering on Play SDK Console and publishing technical documentation. The Expert Approved programme requirement for ad formats and the 'providing a test app' item were removed.
Taken from you
- Developers offering student or similar eligibility-based subscription discounts must meet new disclosure duties from 27 January 2027
- Ad SDKs seeking Families self-certification must register on Play SDK Console and commit not to cause policy violations
- Ad SDKs must publish technical documentation for correct implementation
Won back
- Subscribers get clearer disclosure of eligibility, verification and post-eligibility pricing for discounted plans
- Ad SDKs can apply to the Families self-certification programme again
- Removed Expert Approved programme requirement for ad formats
Evidence · 4 of 4 quotes matched in source
Subscriptions with ongoing eligibility-based discounts: Subscriptions with ongoing eligibility-based discounts, such as student plans, must clearly disclose eligibility criteria, the verification process and post-eligibility pricing and benefit changes.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
Note: The application form for the Google Play Families Self-Certified Ads SDK Programme has re-opened.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
* The SDK must be registered on Play SDK Console, which includes a commitment that the SDK will not cause apps to violate Play Developer Policies.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
* Publish specific technical documentation for apps to correctly implement the ads SDK to comply with all programme requirements.+ inserted · ✓ matched in source
Archived version ↗ · 657 words changed