Google’s new ‘Designed for Families’ program lets developers mark their apps as kid-friendly

Google is inviting developers to opt-in to a new program launching on Google Play, which will distinguish apps that meet certain requirement as being “family-friendly.” The program, called “Designed for Families” is launching “in several weeks,” and will bring a new “family-focused” experience to the Mountain View company’s app store…

In several weeks, a new family-focused experience on Google Play will give users new ways to browse, search, and discover high quality apps and games for their families.

To support a more family-friendly store, developers are invited to opt-in family-focused apps and games to the new Designed for Families program. Apps that meet the program requirements will be shown in the new family experience so that parents can find suitable, trusted, high-quality apps and games more easily.

The requirements for apps to be part of the program can be found on Google’s support website, and they’re pretty extensive. For instance, apps must be rated ESRB Everyone 10+ or equivalent, follow certain advertisement guidelines (if applicable), must accurately disclose the app’s elements in the content rating questionnaire, and must not use Google+ sign-in.

This is not a surprising move for Google, a company that has made very clear in recent months that it plans to start adding a younger audience to the already massive number of eyeballs that view its ads and use its products. YouTube Kids is one of the best recent examples of this move, and now it looks like Google is planning to highlight some of the best apps on the Play Store that are made to be family friendly.