Google Play Experiences Dramatic 47% Drop in App Count Since Early 2022

In recent months, the Google Play Store has experienced a significant decline in the number of available apps, raising questions among Android users and developers alike. According to a comprehensive analysis by app intelligence provider Appfigures, the number of apps hosted on Google Play plummeted from approximately 3.4 million at the beginning of 2024 to around 1.8 million today. This dramatic drop of nearly 47% indicates a substantial purging of applications within the Android app marketplace.

Comparative Analysis: Google Play vs. Apple App Store

The decline in app listings on Google Play is not indicative of a broader global trend. In contrast, the Apple App Store has seen a slight increase in the number of available apps, rising from 1.6 million to approximately 1.64 million during the same timeframe. This disparity highlights the unique challenges facing the Android platform.

Benefits of the Decline for Android Users

For Android device owners, the reduction in app quantity may actually serve as a benefit. The significant drop can help users more easily navigate through the marketplace, filtering out scammy, spammy, and low-quality applications. Below are some potential advantages:

• Improved App Quality: With stricter guidelines, users can expect higher-quality applications.
• Better Developer Visibility: Developers can gain more recognition as the competition reduces.

Reasons Behind the Decline

Several factors have contributed to this significant drop in app listings on the Google Play Store:

• Stricter App Review Policies: In July 2024, Google announced new minimum quality standards that expanded the criteria for app removal.
• Focus on Functionality: Apps demonstrating limited functionality, such as static or single-purpose apps, have been banned.
• Expanded Verification Requirements: New developer accounts are subjected to additional testing and human reviews.

Google’s Commitment to Quality

Google has emphasized its commitment to enhancing app quality through various initiatives. The company has invested in:

• AI for Threat Detection: Improved algorithms for identifying malicious apps.
• Stronger Privacy Policies: Enhanced protections for user data.
• Developer Tools: Upgraded resources to assist developers in creating better applications.

As a result of these improvements, Google has successfully prevented 2.36 million apps from violating its policies and banned over 158,000 developer accounts attempting to publish harmful apps.

Impact of Regulatory Changes

Another factor influencing app availability is the new trader status rule implemented by the EU in February 2024. This regulation mandates that developers disclose their names and addresses on app listings, leading to the removal of non-compliant apps from EU app stores. Interestingly, Apple has also enforced similar requirements without experiencing a drop in app availability.

Future Trends in the Google Play Store

According to Appfigures, the decline in app numbers began even before the official purge started last summer. Yet, there has been a notable increase in app releases, with 10,400 new apps launched in 2024, which represents a 7.1% year-over-year growth as of April.

For more insights on app trends and developments in the mobile marketplace, check our mobile app development resources.