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Build Expert-approved apps

Parents look for apps and games that are both enriching and entertaining for their children. In the Expert Approved programme, teachers and children’s education and media specialists recommend high-quality apps for children on Google Play.

About the programme

We consulted with experts to develop a framework for rating apps for children. Teachers and specialists rate apps based on design, appeal, enrichment, age appropriateness, appropriateness of ads, in-app purchases and cross-promotion.

Expert-approved apps:

  • Are eligible to appear and be featured on the Children tab on Google Play

  • Display the Expert approved badge

  • Include a section on the app’s Google Play details page that shows what makes the app stand out

About the ratings

Teachers and specialists evaluate your app using criteria that includes, but is not limited to, the details listed below. To learn more about the ratings, visit Google Play Academy.

  • Language, vocabulary and audio design are high quality and appropriate for the app’s target age group(s), including character dialogue, music, sound effects, voiceover and written text

  • The user interface design is easy for children in the target age group(s) to use and understand, including buttons, menu, navigation and required gestures

  • Visuals are high quality, appropriate and attractive for children in the target age group(s), including animation and art

  • Appeal to children by engaging and delighting your audience within the app’s target age group(s)

  • Support healthy development, with or without a focus on education, including creativity and imagination, learning impact and positive messages

  • All app content must meet appropriateness standards for your app’s youngest target age group. Avoid inappropriate crude language or humour, sexual or provocative content, violent or scary content or unhealthy, illegal or dangerous content

  • Ads, in-app purchases and cross-promotion, if present, must be appropriate and compliant with the Families ads and monetisation policies. Teachers and specialists look at how ads, in-app purchases, and cross-promotion affect the overall quality of the experience for a child under 13

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