Indian developers get relief after regaining app visibility on Google Play Store

Following Google's move to delist 10 Indian app developers from its Play Store on Friday due to non-compliance with payment policies, nine of these developers have had some of their apps relisted by Monday morning. The reinstatement comes after developers adhered to Google's requirements in an effort to regain visibility for their applications.

Snehil Khanor, CEO of TrulyMadly, stated the apps were relisted due to compliance with Google's policies, not a reversal of the tech giant's decision. Developers opted for a "consumption-only" model, directing users to make payments on their websites instead of through in-app transactions. This temporary solution, however, creates user interface challenges and may deter users from making payments, developers explained.

Info Edge, a prominent developer, had all of its apps relisted by Sunday night, showing quick compliance with Google's guidelines. On the other hand, Matrimony.com had only eight of its vast portfolio of over 150 matrimonial apps relisted by the same time. Info Edge saw three apps relisted as early as Saturday, with the remaining two—Shiksha and Naukrigulf—regaining visibility by Sunday.

Among the apps restored to the Play Store by Sunday night were AltBalaji's Altt, Mebigo's Kuku FM, Arha Media's aha, and Catchup Technologies' two apps streaming Rajasthani and Haryanvi web series. Additionally, People Interactive's Shaadi.com was relisted on Saturday, with 99 other community-specific match apps also back on the platform.

By Monday morning, Verve's dating app QuackQuack was also among those successfully relisted, showcasing a rapid response from developers to Google's stringent policies.