To all Indie-developers - Google might require you to publish your real address - General Marketing & SEO

If you have a paid-app or an in-app-billing inside your app, you will have to put your real address to be publically shown on the Play Store .
Links about this :
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...s-will-soon-have-to-provide-physical-address/
http://www.androidauthority.com/google-forcing-developers-to-publish-home-addresses-527772/
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...es-to-have-an-address-on-file-in-google-play/
http://phandroid.com/2014/09/18/google-play-now-requires-devs-to-make-their-home-address-public/
http://www.androidheadlines.com/201...physical-address-file-paid-apps-apps-iap.html
http://androidandme.com/2014/09/new...es-app-developers-to-list-a-physical-address/
http://www.greenbot.com/article/2685242/android-developers-must-now-list-physical-address-in-play-store.html[/url]
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2685...-now-list-physical-address-in-play-store.html
I've also written 2 posts about it here and here.
Please try to make a difference and help fight against this decision.
You can do the next things:
1. Sign a petition, here and here
2. Share, star and comment on the above links, not only those that I've found, but also on other places.
Maybe, together we will show Google that it's a bad decision, and they will give a better alternative.

Signed both. I'm not a developer, but I think it's total crap that they'd force this on people.
Not good game Google. "Don't Be Evil"

Thanks I was hoping someone would start a forum regarding this
Thanks I was hoping someone would start a forum regarding this :
This is an awful direction for Google to take the only people this hurts are the very people that made Android what it is today The " Individual " APP Developers , if it wasn't for the hobbyist and enthusiast , you know The small " Individual " APP Developers early on Android probably wouldn't of made it past Version 1.5 , it was the APPS that these " Individual " APP Developers made that gave people a want to buy an Android device and has lead to Android being the APP ECO System it is today.
Hope Google comes to their senses. . .

I understand why (reduce malicious apps) but it will also pull good indie apps.
Guess donations packs should now be sold on dev's website, without the help of Googke Play Services DRM for piracy checking.
An alternative could be Amazon's app store, but I don't know if they are indie friendly.

Magissia said:
I understand why (reduce apps) but it will also pull good indie apps.
Guess donations packs should now be sold on dev's website, without the help of Googke Play Services DRM for piracy checking.
An alternative could be Amazon's app store, but I don't know if they are indie friendly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This won't have any affect on malicious apps, most malicious apps are free so won't be bound to the mandatory address requirement the ones that are not free will just convert to free.
And users need to take more realisability for the content they load on their device. Really in this day in age I can't believe people still install things with out researching first.
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Free mobile app

Shame on Google.
This actually won't prevent malicious apps to be published on the Play Store, malware are usually free apps.
Instead, this put indie develepers into a risky condition, mad people at the door, harassment, in the best case "just" privacy concerns.
I can't understand this stupid decision by Google, maybe it's because of the new refund policies, refund requests after the canonical 2 hours are hanled by them, in other words they have to put the money. Forcing people to publish free instead of paid apps will make them save some money.. maybe.
However, whatever the reason, it's time they stop to make the developers pay for THEIR mistakes and security holes!

Is there a way to make it a sticky on all of the Android sub-forums, or something?
Time is running short, and I really hope to make a difference here.
I don't care even if you modify my post or make a new one.

Magissia said:
I understand why (reduce malicious apps) but it will also pull good indie apps.
Guess donations packs should now be sold on dev's website, without the help of Googke Play Services DRM for piracy checking.
An alternative could be Amazon's app store, but I don't know if they are indie friendly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking of donations, I've tried to suggest an alternative solution in case it won't work, as a second plan, here

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
Speaking of donations, I've tried to suggest an alternative solution in case it won't work, as a second plan, here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey, is the thing about entering addresses still going on? i havnt gotten a notification on my google developers console to give address

Sahaab said:
hey, is the thing about entering addresses still going on? i havnt gotten a notification on my google developers console to give address
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is.
If you go there, and click on "Announcements" , you will see it.

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
Yes, it is.
If you go there, and click on "Announcements" , you will see it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, found it
really dont want to add an address tho XD
---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
AndroidDeveloperLB said:
Yes, it is.
If you go there, and click on "Announcements" , you will see it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lawl i dont know but i am now having trouble finding the place to put my address in XD

Sahaab said:
thanks, found it
really dont want to add an address tho XD
---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------
lawl i dont know but i am now having trouble finding the place to put my address in XD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They specifically say :
"
Add a physical contact address Beginning September 30, 2014, you need to add a physical address to your Settings page. After you've added an address, it will be available on your app's detail page to all users on Google Play. If your physical address changes, make sure to update your information on your Settings page.
If you have paid apps or apps with in-app purchases, it's mandatory to provide a physical address where you can be contacted, as you are the seller of that content, to comply with consumer protection laws. If you don't provide a physical address on your account, it may result in your apps being removed from the Play Store."
This means they want an address to be published for all.
In order to edit this setting, you have to go to "finance" and then to the merchant settings and then edit the address...

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
They specifically say :
"
Add a physical contact address Beginning September 30, 2014, you need to add a physical address to your Settings page. After you've added an address, it will be available on your app's detail page to all users on Google Play. If your physical address changes, make sure to update your information on your Settings page.
If you have paid apps or apps with in-app purchases, it's mandatory to provide a physical address where you can be contacted, as you are the seller of that content, to comply with consumer protection laws. If you don't provide a physical address on your account, it may result in your apps being removed from the Play Store."
This means they want an address to be published for all.
In order to edit this setting, you have to go to "finance" and then to the merchant settings and then edit the address...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i read the announcement
trying to find the setting to add the address XD

Sahaab said:
yes i read the announcement
trying to find the setting to add the address XD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
attached a screenshot.

AndroidDeveloperLB said:
attached a screenshot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh okay, thanks

removed since reading the suggestion.

Don't like the change.
Maybe someone started moving their apps to another stores such as Amazon?
Or even focus on IOS and not to deploy on Android anymore.
Good job Google

Generic Field said:
Don't like the change.
Maybe someone started moving their apps to another stores such as Amazon?
Or even focus on IOS and not to deploy on Android anymore.
Good job Google
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good job, you forget IOS yearly fee.
If you can't afford a PO BOX or let's say any forwarding address yearly, can you afford IOS yearly service which is $99 / year ? Let alone you need mac OS to develop your application.
I rather to publish is in Amazon or just use any address which I have access to (maybe it is friend address or whatever) or you can use a "service" which help you to publish your app to market (but they will ask you: source code (as they will compile it by themselves), analyze your source code (make sure your code is safe), and get 20 - 25% from your revenue). If you insist to use a store: publish your application to windows phone (well good luck with visual studio license) store or incoming Tizen. IOS is not good idea if you cannot sell your apps (don't forget yearly $99).

ishengard said:
Good job, you forget IOS yearly fee.
If you can't afford a PO BOX or let's say any forwarding address yearly, can you afford IOS yearly service which is $99 / year ? Let alone you need mac OS to develop your application.
I rather to publish is in Amazon or just use any address which I have access to (maybe it is friend address or whatever) or you can use a "service" which help you to publish your app to market (but they will ask you: source code (as they will compile it by themselves), analyze your source code (make sure your code is safe), and get 20 - 25% from your revenue). If you insist to use a store: publish your application to windows phone (well good luck with visual studio license) store or incoming Tizen. IOS is not good idea if you cannot sell your apps (don't forget yearly $99).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this is not the old good war between google fans and apple fans, the point is google is going to screw up everything.
I'm totally against apple and ios but, let's face these things about them:
- they ask you a per-year fee
- they verify your app and make sure it's safe for the users
- earnings on their store is four times than the play store
So, you pay a lot but you have a good change to get the money back and, above all, you're not asked to pay in terms of lack of PRIVACY and SAFETY.
What google is doing is crazy and unacceptable, everyone (not who actually buy on the play store, everyone!) will be allowed to see your personal info and home address and, btw, it's still not clear if a PO box is allowed.
I'm not a google soldier, i like google but i won't defend them when they become so greedy and unfair that even apple appears better.

ishengard said:
Good job, you forget IOS yearly fee.
If you can't afford a PO BOX or let's say any forwarding address yearly, can you afford IOS yearly service which is $99 / year ? Let alone you need mac OS to develop your application.
I rather to publish is in Amazon or just use any address which I have access to (maybe it is friend address or whatever) or you can use a "service" which help you to publish your app to market (but they will ask you: source code (as they will compile it by themselves), analyze your source code (make sure your code is safe), and get 20 - 25% from your revenue). If you insist to use a store: publish your application to windows phone (well good luck with visual studio license) store or incoming Tizen. IOS is not good idea if you cannot sell your apps (don't forget yearly $99).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't Apple's share of revenues from the app the same as Google's - 30% ?
Anyway, I got a weird reply today from Google on their Google groups:
https://code.google.com/p/android-developer-preview/issues/detail?id=1340#c22
to comply with consumer protection laws in different jurisdictions, you may be required to provide certain business contact information, including email and/or business address. Please speak with your legal representative on the different types of information that can be used. As an example, for more information on the types of business contact information that can be used, the European Commission has provided official guidance that may be helpful.
ec.europa.euhttp://ec.europa.eu/justice/consumer-marketing/files/crd_guidance_en.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I understand from it that an email is enough?
Also, how come I can't (as a user) see any app's address on the play store? Not even of Google's ?
Is it possible it's available only in certain countries? Maybe only in the EU ?

Related

Google and privacy

Hello!
I´m interrested in Android as well as in the tm G1.
Now the G1 is announced here in Germany for the second of february.
My problem at the moment is, that I have read and heard, that google is collecting data (everything)! So if you read the "terms and conditions", what do you think about that or don´t you care? I mean they have the rights over everything you load/send/post/get....and more!
How do you handle that fact personally for you?
Greetings!
Carter
That's just the nature of the emphasis on cloud computing. Personally my stance is simply to not conduct any business on my G1 that I would mind Google knowing/datamining. Regardless of what companies claim in their privacy policies, the very best way to 100% guarantee your data will be misused is simply to not willingly give it out.
Edit: also keep in mind that the (potentially) datamining portions of Android generally revolve around those apps and services which are closed-source apps provided by Google that are not a part of the Android Open Source Project. These include for example the Market, GMail, GTalk, and so forth.
ok, I get your point, but what is the G1 without Gmail/Calendar etc.
And thats all google.
Because of the poor response on my question I think that the majority doesn´t care about google´s data collecting hype.
In my eyes their acting is scary....imagine the details they know about you and many many other people....
just my opinion...
Greetz!
They don't collect any personal information. Not only that but they don't have people looking at these records. A computer does all the work, and is only used to find keywords.
Look at this site's search (the one on xda not google) it works by taking every word and putting it in a database and when you search the word it shows the corresponding posts. so post1 has wordA and post2 has wordA and wordB, and when you search for wordB you only get post2. The same concept is in place for google... except it goes one step further. The spider takes out words that are not needed. Well they have been using this for your GMail for sometime as well. It is why they have excellent spam control and it is why google is so awesome. They use the same process to check emails when you click links. Basically they are just trying to find out who uses what sites for what reasons. If they figure out all this they can better help you and the company you were visiting.
Chances are if you are on a site that is doing something illegal Google already knows it exisists.
someone can always watch if they want, on a g1 or PC, or anything connected. Just don't do anything dumb.
i think its obscene and absurd how gung hoe they are with it. If you want access to the playstore gawdam they better have every member of your family and every person you've ever met profiled as well as around the clock location tracking with a serial # and every keystroke on your device. And dont you dare make any attempts to disable any of their spyware or you can kiss YouTube apps and the play store goodbye. Its pathetic what they've done to Android and its users. And the reason it pisses me of the most is because I don't even really use free apps. They're all either paid for or open.

A better Marketplace for all

For a long time now I have been wondering when Microsoft's Marketplace for mobile would be finished. Sadly after reading much of the material posted by developers I'm getting the idea the it might not catch on as well as Microsoft hoped. Paying $99 USD per app per year to publish a free app is insane. You would have to be a marketing genius to convince people to donate enough money to cover the cost for you. Other than the current special of 1-5 apps for $99 I don't see this as a viable way to spread freeware applications to the masses. So in turn I have been looking for a way to create a market where free apps can be published and download on a fast reliable server for FREE. I know there are already many apps that have this idea but my spin on it would be to allow apps to be sold as well. Using open source shopping carts like oscommerce would make this a possible idea. There would be no charge to the seller. The shop would be completely funded on donations. Luckily, I already have a host but I would need support from coders and developers to make this come true.
So far, I need someone to code a payment module to allow oscommerce to set each individual pay app to its respective developer's paypal account. So when you choose the app you want and continue to pay for it, the money will go directly to the developer. Like Microsoft, a simple little app or link in the program files can route people to the site so anyone can download and buy on the fly. Seems simple enough right? I have a test shop where I am trying to put up a live demo so that developers would be more inclined to publish their apps when they see my idea in action. I'm still not done with it as I also have another project that I am getting paid for. You will see the site go down and up a lot till I am comfortable with the layout and stability.
I really need some input on this. Do you think that this could actually work and would you support if it became a reality?
sure.... I will put my apps on the server if this becomes a reality
good work and I hope to see this soon!
I'm working with a site called freewarepocketpc.net right to write a client (currently for the freeware side) but also could contain the shareware/paid apps. Creating your own database AND program is not something that you can take on in your free time
joel2009 said:
I'm working with a site called freewarepocketpc.net right to write a client (currently for the freeware side) but also could contain the shareware/paid apps. Creating your own database AND program is not something that you can take on in your free time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. This would be difficult to do but im going to try and see this through.

[Q] Banned For Life from Android Market/ Developer

Google recently shut down my developer account and google market account with no explanation. And as you all know their support sucks. Does anyone know how to get back on the market to sell apps? Thanks. I had some Themes for pandahome etc but now I have some apps I made with AI I want to get on the market.
Your merchant account has been closed
Make another fake account.
Xda app
I tried that 4 times and somehow they keep finding me. I used walmart gift cards with fake names! I don't know if they are tracking my ISP or what, but they go up for about an hour, take my $25 developer fee, and then get closed down.
Any surefire ways to set up a stealth developer account?
All I was making was themes you can see what I had here, then lost everything
androidlib my developer name was Onion Rings Studios
007onionrings said:
All I was making was themes you can see what I had here, then lost everything
androidlib my developer name was Onion Rings Studios
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're were making themes for an app; did you ask the developer if you can put them on the market. He could report you because you didn't have his approval.
It looks like most of your themes were copyright infringing, maybe someone who owns the copyright had complained about you.
I remember getting my first ticket. Some guy was ahead of me and was slowing down to stop for a light that was turning red, I decided to drive right around him to pass.
I got pulled over.
When I asked the cop what I did wrong, he gave me a nasty look and just said "license and registration".
Sorry, I know this story doesn't have anything to do with the topic of this thread, but when I read that Google banned the account without giving any explanation...It made me think of that.
I seriously doubt that they would ban you for no reason whatsoever, as the previous posts say your themes where probably copyright infringing and the copyright owner complained about you. So there is your reason!
What kind of AI were you working on?
Futur Innovations said:
What kind of AI were you working on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He means App Inventor, not AI apps.
???
If you were making themes for another developers app and making money out of it, i can completely see why you should be stopped... Banned seems a little OTT though? I also think Google should have an obligation to explain the ban, you should have been given a chance to appeal or something! Unless of course you're missing a few bits out??
Try teaming up with another developer or themer? If its any consolation, i dont think many people use panda home anymore...infact i dont know of anyone!!
007onionrings said:
I tried that 4 times and somehow they keep finding me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why the hell would Google know who you are?
Are you re-uploading the same App? Using same email? Thats why they find you probably. Get someone with a real CC to open an account for you.
I suspect his endeavours take a wrong turn the moment he starts using 'Walmart credit cards' and 'fake identities'.
Not many genuine people need fake ID and credit cards so its probably for our protection....doesn't look too good considering the apps he/she sold were to profit from another devs work in the first place!
I had a nice app game that I downloaded last December.
After I upgraded to Froyo, I wanted to re-download the game.
It is no longer available because a huge corporate game marketer threatened legal action becuase it had similarities to one of the games they market.
It's corporate litigation bullying!
The independent developer cowered and pulled his app.
I'd love to see a thread with links to apk files(apps) that we can access and install with a sideloader.
Does anyone have such a resource?
Google "alternate android market" and the world is your oyster
RAMMANN said:
why the hell would Google know who you are?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.. didn't you know? google knows all.
naenee said:
I suspect his endeavours take a wrong turn the moment he starts using 'Walmart credit cards' and 'fake identities'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL @ upstanding business practices.

StartApp

Hi,
first of all, if I can convince you to try out StartApp, Mod Edit: Link Removed
» StartApp FAQ
Well then, let's start. As I already announced here, I am currently trying out a new ad network for one of my apps. The network is called "StartApp". And although it is a little bit more intrusive than AdMob and not every user is going to like it, I am, however, already yet pretty satisfied with its results. In just two days I earned now more than $13 - which might not sound like a lot for some of you, but for me it actually it is quite much. Because in comparison to AdMob it's around 20 times more!
But simply look yourself:
» With AdMob banner ads I earned around $10 in the last 30 days.
» And now my StartApp earnings from just the last two days: $13.34.
(Well, of course, that were just two days, we will see, if this will hold on in the future.)
So how does StartApp actually work? Basically, there are two ways to earn money with StartApp.
1st Way: SDK Integration
Regarding of which option you choose (full integration / partial integration), with this way you will earn money for each installation of your app. I will simply quote the FAQ:
Our payment is based on number of app downloads; you get paid for each download generated with our SDK inside. There are 2 integration levels available: Full and Partial. The amount of payment depends on the integration level you choose. For full integration, we pay $0.055 for each new U.S install , $0.01 for each new install from any other country. For partial integration, we pay $0.04 for new U.S installs and $0.008 for new installs from any other country. A new user would be a user who's device does not have the StartApp SDK present. A returning user (with the StartApp SDK on his device) will grant you $0.01 each from the US and $0.005 for all other countries for both full and partial integration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2nd Way: Popup (Exit) Ads
I will simply quote the blog:
The Exit Ad introduces StartApp developers to the rev share model, providing continuous income and great eCPM, all while keeping the seamless user experience that users expect and value.
The exit ad will display a full screen banner ad when the user exits the application, intruding minimally on the user experience of your app. When the user clicks the back button or the home button on their device to exit the application, they are presented with an ad that leads to a mobile website or a free app download when clicked. If they click “Not Now” the app will exit as normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please note that you can also add those popup ads to other points of your app, e.g. "natural breaking points" (like a user saves a file or loads a game level and while the file is being saved or the game level is loaded, he cannot do anything anyway - so why not showing him a popup add now?).
(3rd Way: Referral Program)
You'll get $10, for the first 100 downloads a developer who was referred by you makes. The referred developer himself gets a bonus of $25 if he crosses this 100 downloads (that bonus is only for those being referred!). And afterwards, it even goes on: For every other of the following download-levels being crossed by the referred developer, you’ll get an extra payment:
- At 1,000 downloads + $25
- At 10,000 downloads +150
- At 100,000 downloads +$500
- At 1,000,000 downloads +$1,500
So summing it all up, you can make up to $2,185 for each referred developer. Therefore here again my appeal to you: Mod Edit: Link Removed Give it a try. It's a win-win-situation.
» StartApp FAQ
» Register now
(ATTACHEMENTS: SCREENSHOTS)
It sounds good, but the way they seem to work it is super intrusive.
http://www.startapp.com/faq/
How does it actually work?
We will supply you a SDK (including a step by step implementation guide). Integrating our product takes about 3 minutes! Once implemented, update your app on the market and add our disclaimer text to your app description. We are very focused on maintaining transparency, so it's highly important you let your users know about us. Your user will then get a search icon on his home screen, a bookmark link and a browser home page, all directing to our web search URL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'd rather see ads, than have an app change my browser start page and add search icons.
Plus the permissions are kind of rough. System tools and read messages are hard for most people to accept.
Well, yes and no. You can decide to offer the user a clean app without any ads, but instead you include this shortcuts and bookmarks installation procedure. The user can easily decline this dialog (I think he has to do it 3 or 4 times until it stops appearing anymore):
In my opinion, this dialog is quite transparent and clear to the user. If he (accidently or deliberately) chose to accept this dialog, he can afterwards easily delete the bookmarks and shortcuts (drag to the trash or delete the link for the browser). After all, your users are going to have a completely ad-free app. In my opinion it is not that intrusive, since StartApp does not "settle into the system" or something.
You can also choose to only use those exit-popup-ads. I cannot say how much you can earn with them yet and if it is really more than with AdMob. But you can give it a try, especially they could be useful while loading a game level or saving a file or something (as explained above). The user might be more willing to look at those ads if he cannot do anything else at the moment anyway. That might be a cleaner solution than those AdMob ads, on which the user clicks accidently while playing a game, because the controls are next to the banner or something.
Concerning the permissions, here you can find an explanation. What do you mean by "read messages"? There is no permission needed to read SMS or something.
Personally, I decided to give StartApp a try, because AdMob's eCPM was somehow unexpectedly low (much lower than for other apps from me). Also, many, many stupid people installed my app (which is for ROOTED PHONES ONLY) and rated it negatively because "it does not work ('****', 'crap', '**** you', ...)". I certainly do not have pity on those who cannot even read...
Mod Edit: Link Removed
for the message thing I was going by their "can I see this live" link from the FAQs which goes to
start app quick search https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.startapp.quicksearchbox on the play store.
Is the one they install different from that one? also, system tools does show up in the play store descriptions, so they need to update where they say it doesnt.
Other than that it sounds interesting. The money you are currently getting from them includes the search combo, or is it just the interstitial(Exit) ads?
I like interstitials for some situations. and it seems so far for you they are paying out better than admob.
out of ideas said:
for the message thing I was going by their "can I see this live" link from the FAQs which goes to
start app quick search on the play store.
Is the one they install different from that one? also, system tools does show up in the play store descriptions, so they need to update where they say it doesnt.
Other than that it sounds interesting. The money you are currently getting from them includes the search combo, or is it just the interstitial(Exit) ads?
I like interstitials for some situations. and it seems so far for you they are paying out better than admob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of ideas- Startapp truly has a very non obtrusive solution to monetize your apps and users accept this concept as it is much more friendlier than push notifications or even banners which appear from nowhere anf interrupt the usage of the app. Regarding the quick search you saw from their website it is identical to the one that will appear via the installation of your app. Bear in mind. that as Null0R has mentioned above, Startapp is 100% compliant with Google's policy, meaning the user can choose whether to accept or decline this addition, and it wont affect the installation of your app.
If you need and examples of apps using Startapp's SDK let me know.
Hey,
sorry for the late answer, I was waiting for an answer from StartApp myself.
Other than that it sounds interesting. The money you are currently getting from them includes the search combo, or is it just the interstitial(Exit) ads?
I like interstitials for some situations. and it seems so far for you they are paying out better than admob.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The very main part of the money I currently earn (still always around $8 - $10 per day) from StartApp definitely results from the SDK integration itself (bookmarks, search icon, ...). Currently, I earn only around $0.1 - $0.2 per day from interstitial ads. Thats not really impressive, but it still can concete with AdMob I guess (since my AdMob revenue never was really a lot higher on the same app I think). On the StartApp dashboard it says, my eCPM is $0.16. In AdMob, I always had around $0.07 eCPM. Paradoxically, my AdMob-eCPM raised since I integrated StartApp (I now have those two ad networks in one app). Now it is $0.10.
Like you, I also wanted know how many they actually pay for interstitial ads. The answer, however, was not really that concrete.
The advertisements that are shown on the exit ads earn various amounts due to the different agreements that we have with the advertiser. Depending on what advertisements are shown we help you out by calculating a eCPM for you. You are able to use this to compare the payment amounts between other ad networks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here they also say:
RevShare- StartApp will share a percentage earned from these advertisements with you. Payments are sent every month in a NET30 terms (30 days after the end of the payment period). Your Ecpm is easily visible in portal. The eCPM may change depending on various parameters.
[...]
hitman: do you pay per impression or per click ?
Matthew: We pay eCPM, which allows us to calculate a payment from both pay per impression and pay per click.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What might be interesting for you as well is that StartApp introduced a new type of interstitial ads last thursday: http://blog.startapp.com/3d-ad-latest-ad-type/
for the message thing I was going by their "can I see this live" link from the FAQs which goes to
start app quick search https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...quicksearchbox on the play store.
Is the one they install different from that one? also, system tools does show up in the play store descriptions, so they need to update where they say it doesnt.
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I think, this permission is not part of the requirements of the StartApp SDK. Rather the app itself needs to read messages, since it is a search app and you can search through your contacts, your messages, your apps and so on with it. At least, this would be my guess. You can check out my app's permission requirements: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.felixheller.sharedprefseditor (writing to sd card, however, is not part of the StartApp requirements).
For those who are being interested, I am willing to share my StartApp stats after one week of usage.
(click to enlarge)
So basically, I earned $56 in a week with StartApp. This really is a lot in my opinion. When I started with AdMob, I needed around 9 months until I reached my first $100 (until my first payout). How it seems like I need around two weeks with StartApp. So this is a quite dramatic improvement, I think, everybody noticed that on his own, huh?
Mod Edit: Link Removed
For me StartApp generates many fake-virus reviews.
ufomstr said:
For me StartApp generates many fake-virus reviews.
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Click to collapse
"Fake-virus reviews"? I don't understand you. How do you mean this?
null0R said:
"Fake-virus reviews"? I don't understand you. How do you mean this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That means that antivirus software (not all, few of them) report StartApp as virus (or adware, depends on app). Then wanna-be-good users that don't understand what's going on posts 1-star reviews that there is virus in your app.
ufomstr said:
That means that antivirus software (not all, few of them) report StartApp as virus (or adware, depends on app). Then wanna-be-good users that don't understand what's going on posts 1-star reviews that there is virus in your app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yeah, I get stupid comments as well. Few of them stated, that they actually do like the app, but that they do not like the new permissions and thus they won't update. They like the app. They rate it with one star. Logic.
Today I got the first time a "virus-comment" as well. Well, I try to deal with it. I always try to give friendly answers to stupid comments. I try to explain the permissions and why I chose to use something different than AdMob. You should also add StartApp's disclaimer to your app description (you actually have to):
We love creating apps, and want to keep them free forever. In order to keep our development running we are using a search service to generate some revenue from this free app. This app will add a couple search links on your device in the form of an icon, bookmark link and browser homepage. You may delete them easily (drag to the trash or delete the link for the browser), if you choose to use them, thanks!
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Click to collapse
To be honest, my average rating went a bit down since I included StartApp. But I still get lots of high ratings. Still, many users seem to be satisfied. So am I since I included StartApp. In my opinion, the earnings were definitely worth it until now.
For me it didn't help. I've added description about antivirus, but there are too many idiots that don't read description or are just dumb. Almost all of may 1stars are for virus... I will have to remove startapp.
when startapp release money on august 2013?
Hi,
Paydate of June is 1st August 2013, but today is 2/8/2013 and i still get nothing from Startapp. What's wrong? I'm at GMT+7, Hanoi, Vietnam.
the second question is : my friends, android developer were play startapp, said that their paypal account is loocked when withdraw money from startapp. Any one can confirm about it?
Look forward your answers, thanks!
startapp
9android.net said:
Hi,
Paydate of June is 1st August 2013, but today is 2/8/2013 and i still get nothing from Startapp. What's wrong? I'm at GMT+7, Hanoi, Vietnam.
the second question is : my friends, android developer were play startapp, said that their paypal account is loocked when withdraw money from startapp. Any one can confirm about it?
Look forward your answers, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey i got an email and said they will paid in 8 aug, so i am waiting for 8 aug to come. i don't have clue about paypal account get locked
I use startapp in my app and yesterday XDA wrote article about my app:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/easily-backup-your-apps-data-contacts-and-messages/
After few users reoprted my app as virus or malware, article about my app was updated and now it says that my app contains a malware.
If anyone going to be promoted by XDA portal don't use startapp
mane55 said:
I use startapp in my app and yesterday XDA wrote article about my app:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/easily-backup-your-apps-data-contacts-and-messages/
After few users reoprted my app as virus or malware, article about my app was updated and now it says that my app contains a malware.
If anyone going to be promoted by XDA portal don't use startapp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or don't use startapp at all...And I guess it wasn't exactly a "few" users...
http://www.xda-developers.com/announcements/xda-and-adware-apps/
mane55 said:
I use startapp in my app and yesterday XDA wrote article about my app:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/easily-backup-your-apps-data-contacts-and-messages/
After few users reoprted my app as virus or malware, article about my app was updated and now it says that my app contains a malware.
If anyone going to be promoted by XDA portal don't use startapp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ouch. thats a rough way to lose the "portal bump" and definetly makes it rough to recover from.
I've seen quite a few different apps using startapp being reported as viruses(even if they are not) and nothing kills a good rating faster than that.
Everyone ends up having to makes a bunch of apology follow ups and ends up dumping startapp.
So, not to seem rude or anything, but I don't think this is a good monetization solution for developers.
Well, I have removed startapp from my app. At least now we know that XDA don't allow apps with this kind of ad networks .
It is not a good monetization solution for developers - your app is marked as virus.
I will never use aggressive ads network in the future that mark your app as virus.
Fake virus
null0R said:
"Fake-virus reviews"? I don't understand you. How do you mean this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case Leadbolt was generating fake-virus reviews. I got tons of bad reviews complaining that my app was infected. However, this happened only to one of my apps.
9android.net said:
Hi,
Paydate of June is 1st August 2013, but today is 2/8/2013 and i still get nothing from Startapp. What's wrong? I'm at GMT+7, Hanoi, Vietnam.
the second question is : my friends, android developer were play startapp, said that their paypal account is loocked when withdraw money from startapp. Any one can confirm about it?
Look forward your answers, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I cannot tell you a lot about that yet. International transfers take some time for sure. Today is the 13th August and I still did not receive any earnings, too - neither from StartApp nor from AdMob. But at the moment, that does not seem to be a thing to be worried about in my opinion. Because my first AdMob payout also took about 19 days (19th February). I will simply wait another week and wach out.
Although my referral links were removed (sorry 'bout that, didn't notice that rule and others posted referral links as well on other topics...), I still wanted to share my most recent experiences with you anyways. So here it is.
My earnings are still quite high. I earn about $12-$13 every day with only one app using StartApp. That's cool. I didn't change anything on my apps since I introduced StartApp.
On the other hand, my ratings of this one app are still going down slowly (including some false virus reports as well). That's stupid. But at the moment that's not a big enough reason to cancel this "StartApp experiment" in my opinion. I'll just wait a bit further, I guess. Maybe I could also write the StartApp support and ask them what to do about those virus reports and negative ratings and if they have some tips or something.
null0R said:
My earnings are still quite high. I earn about $12-$13 every day with only one app using StartApp. That's cool. I didn't change anything on my apps since I introduced StartApp.
On the other hand, my ratings of this one app are still going down slowly (including some false virus reports as well). That's stupid. But at the moment that's not a big enough reason to cancel this "StartApp experiment" in my opinion. I'll just wait a bit further, I guess. Maybe I could also write the StartApp support and ask them what to do about those virus reports and negative ratings and if they have some tips or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
I am happy to hear your earnings are still high, there shouldn't be a reason they wont be
Here is what Startapp support answered: " Thank you for letting us know about this feedback from your users about messages from their anti-virus software.
We encountered several AV apps that have mis-flagged our SDK as Adware.
After working with with most of these companies, we now have only Dr. Web, AVG and Norton and a few others that are still flagging us as ad ware.
Our latest SDK offers an opt-in EULA for the end user, giving them the choice to add our search app. This user-friendly approach is a step forward to keeping your users aware and creating a long term business that will keep us and you, the developer, earning for the long run. We take the privacy of you and your users very seriously.
Some developers have also posted a message in their description letting users know that it may be flagged as a virus, but that it is not a virus
I hope this answers your question. If you have any more concerns, please let me know."
In addition, Google chose to present its "Disclosure of Ads to Users" using Startapp's EULA as an example of how to be transparent towards the end user.
Of course this doesn't change all anti viruses diagnostics but it does show that Google finds Startapp solution as very user friendly
Hope this helps

Admob has banned me

Hi guys, today I woke up with a horrific news. I wanted to kill myself when I logged in to my Admob account. I am banned without a warning or at least a courtesy mail. I have been trying to find out the reason, I have read tons of similar posts and it looks like it is not very likely that they will reactivate my account. I need some suggestion about the mail that I will send them in order for them to understand that I did nothing wrong and that what they did is actually wrong.
I was getting 30k impressions daily and I am suspicious that somebody has attacked my application; however, isn't admob supposed to understand that and filter out those clicks?
This is so frustrating, any comment on this issue would be great.
Thank you so much.
That's a really sad news.. I think it could be possible that some user just clicked your ads over and over again, just to get you banned.. Normally, I would suggest that admob is able to filter this clicks out, but it seems not in your case.
If i remember correct, there should be an official "protest"-formular online. But I would not put to much hope in int.
Maybe you should just try a new network, as soon as possible.
Sir_Obvious said:
That's a really sad news.. I think it could be possible that some user just clicked your ads over and over again, just to get you banned.. Normally, I would suggest that admob is able to filter this clicks out, but it seems not in your case.
If i remember correct, there should be an official "protest"-formular online. But I would not put to much hope in int.
Maybe you should just try a new network, as soon as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your comments, It is really a shame if a person is able to make me banned that way. I have switched to another network but it will not be paying as good as Admob does. Anyways Google is the boss and I have no other option except abiding by whatever this giant wants.
Im surprised they couldnt filter out multiple clicks from one account. But they would probably just assume it was you telling someone to click on ads for them.
Can I ask what your app was?
koochooloo said:
Hi guys, today I woke up with a horrific news. I wanted to kill myself when I logged in to my Admob account. I am banned without a warning or at least a courtesy mail. I have been trying to find out the reason, I have read tons of similar posts and it looks like it is not very likely that they will reactivate my account. I need some suggestion about the mail that I will send them in order for them to understand that I did nothing wrong and that what they did is actually wrong.
I was getting 30k impressions daily and I am suspicious that somebody has attacked my application; however, isn't admob supposed to understand that and filter out those clicks?
This is so frustrating, any comment on this issue would be great.
Thank you so much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If my Admob Publisher account gets banned, what happens to my Google Developer account? will it get banned too?
pentium1061 said:
If my Admob Publisher account gets banned, what happens to my Google Developer account? will it get banned too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In most cases the ban of admob not involve the ban on the developer console since the services are not related. However it's really strange that admob ban persons in this way, are you sure that you have not put ads near buttons to increase the click?
Post some screenshots of the locations where you put your admob banners and the names of your apps so we can tell you why you got banned.
Hi! Sorry to hear about that. Based on my own experience conducting workshop for my students, we follows these guidelines:
1) Never click on your own app
2) Never open your admob account using public wifi
3) never open your admob account using the same gmail address as your google developer account.
There are few more advices we normally gives our students but those above is the major guidelines that students must follow.
I hope this helps you.
All the best. Never give up. Just continue open a new admob account as their new formats gives us better income.
Take care.
Kind regards.
Apps Master Builder.com
And what to do if your admob gmail acc is the same as developer acc?
Sergalt said:
And what to do if your admob gmail acc is the same as developer acc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use MoPub.
Crichton333 said:
Use MoPub.
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Click to collapse
Do you have experiences with both MoPub and Admob? I'm a new developer and I've been curious to see how MoPub mediation does against Admob's, numbers wise.
kabumere said:
Do you have experiences with both MoPub and Admob? I'm a new developer and I've been curious to see how MoPub mediation does against Admob's, numbers wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well Admob is the best but if you get banned the only alternative is MoPub.
It is sad to hear about that.
Though this post is created last year, I have some questions and hopefully if you could help. Thanks.
Did you contact AdMob support to get more information about the ban?
What happened to your App after the ban? Did it still show AD, Blanked, or simply make the App crashed?
Did you try another AD network, such as MoPub mentioned by others?
Crichton333 said:
Well Admob is the best but if you get banned the only alternative is MoPub.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how satisfied are you with Mopub?
sekip said:
how satisfied are you with Mopub?
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Click to collapse
I only use Admob.
Where did you place the ads? Did you abuse the system in any way? Could it be because of your apps? Did they contain copyrighted material?
MoPub allows you to mediate between a whole bunch of ad networks. The only disadvantage is that the support is very slow in answering your questions and in verifying your account. If you can live with that, I'd suggest changing to MoPub.
you can chose something else.
I don't think there is much to upset, you can chose so many other ad networks since it is really so easy, such as startapp, mobilecore and mobvista, so easy to switch..
AdMob Alternative
Unless you have a ton of impressions, a solution like MoPub may be overkill. MoPub is a mediation solution that allows you to optimize between multiple networks to best value your inventory. It really is just a little more savvy than having a single network manage your inventory, and you have the ability to serve house ads.
Hi!
I've been banned too 3 or 4 months ago I think, and I decided to move to Adbuddiz (which is not working for me at all, btw) without sending the reply form to Admob. Two days ago I said "let's give it a try" and send that form to Admob to see if can recover my account somehow, and yesterday my account was OK again!
So, you have nothing to lose in sending that reply form, as long as you send a logic explanation
PS: Sorry for my english.

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