Google Play Store Listing Requirements
Complete reference for Android developers. All specs verified from official Google documentation. Last verified: March 2026.
Text Metadata Limits
| Field | Limit | Last Changed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | 30 characters | Sept 29, 2021 (was 50) | Play Console Help |
| Short Description | 80 characters | Unchanged | Play Console Help |
| Long Description | 4,000 characters | Unchanged | Play Console Help |
Need to check your text right now? Use our free character counter.
App Icon
- Dimensions: 512 × 512 pixels
- Format: 32-bit PNG (with alpha)
- Color space: sRGB
- Max file size: 1,024 KB (1 MB)
- Shape: Full square — Google applies rounded corners automatically (radius ~30% of icon size)
- Do not add: Drop shadows (auto-applied), rounded corners (auto-applied), text indicating ranking or deals
Feature Graphic
- Dimensions: 1,024 × 500 pixels
- Format: JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha/transparency)
- Required: Yes — you must provide a feature graphic to publish
- Tip: Keep key elements away from edges — the graphic may be cropped on different surfaces
Screenshots
Phone
- Count: Minimum 2, maximum 8
- Format: JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no transparency)
- Max file size: 8 MB per image
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (portrait) or 16:9 (landscape)
- Recommended: 1080 × 1920 (portrait) or 1920 × 1080 (landscape)
- Dimension range: 320px to 3,840px per side; max dimension cannot exceed 2× min dimension
Tablet (7-inch and 10-inch)
- Count: Minimum 4, maximum 8
- Min short edge: 1,080 pixels
- Max long edge: 7,680 pixels
Wear OS
- Count: 1-8
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square)
- Min size: 384 × 384 pixels
Android TV
- Screenshots: 1-8, 16:9 ratio, minimum 1920 × 1080
- TV Banner: 1,280 × 720 pixels (fixed), JPEG or 24-bit PNG
Promo Video
- Platform: YouTube URL only
- Visibility: Public or unlisted (not private)
- Monetization: Ads must be disabled
- Age restriction: Cannot be age-restricted
- Recommended duration: 30 seconds to 2 minutes
- Required: No — optional
Metadata Policy — What You Can't Say
Google's metadata policy (effective September 29, 2021) prohibits misleading, excessive, or inappropriate metadata.
Prohibited in Title, Icon, and Developer Name
- Emojis, emoticons, or repeated special characters
- ALL CAPS text (unless it's part of your brand name)
- Performance/ranking claims: "top", "#1", "best"
- Price language: "free", "no ads", "ad free"
- Calls to action: "update now", "download now"
- Graphics or text suggesting download counts or rankings
Prohibited in Short Description
- Keywords like "new", "discount", "sale", "million downloads"
- Unattributed user testimonials
- Call-to-action language ("play now", "try now")
General
- No keyword stuffing — keywords should be used naturally
- No misleading claims about functionality
- Violation can result in app rejection or removal
Content Rating
- Required: Yes — apps without a content rating may be removed
- System: IARC (International Age Rating Coalition) questionnaire
- Cost: Free
- Process: Complete the questionnaire in Play Console; ratings are issued immediately
- Updates: Re-complete when app content or features change significantly
- Ad content: Ads must not be more mature than the app's rating
Data Safety Section
Mandatory for all apps on Google Play, including apps on testing tracks. Even apps that collect no data must complete the form.
You must declare how your app handles 14 categories of data:
For each collected type, declare: purpose, whether data leaves the device, third-party sharing, encryption, user deletion rights, and linkage to identity.
Store Listing Experiments (A/B Testing)
Google Play Console includes free built-in A/B testing for your store listing.
- Can test: icon, feature graphic, screenshots, short description, long description, promo video
- Cannot test: app title (requires a full app update)
- Test types: Global (one language) or Localized (up to 5 languages)
- Metrics: "Retained first-time installers" (kept app 1+ day) or "First-time installers"
- Best practice: Test one element at a time, run for at least 7 days
Recent Policy Updates (2025-2026)
Store listing specs (character limits, image sizes) have not changed since September 2021. Recent policy updates focus on other areas:
- Dec 2025: Payments policy updates, alternative billing for US devs (deadline: Jan 28, 2026)
- Oct 2025: Age-restricted content policy for matchmaking/dating/gambling apps
- Jul 2025: Updated news/magazine app self-declaration requirements
- 2025 overall: Google rejected nearly 2 million apps and blocked 80,000+ developer accounts (AI-assisted review)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Google Play title character limit?
30 characters. This limit was reduced from 50 characters on September 29, 2021. Source: Google Play Console Help.
What size should my Google Play icon be?
512 × 512 pixels, 32-bit PNG with alpha, sRGB color space, maximum 1024 KB. Google automatically applies rounded corners and a drop shadow — do not add these yourself.
How many screenshots does Google Play require?
Minimum 2, maximum 8 for phone. Tablet screenshots require minimum 4. All must be JPEG or 24-bit PNG, maximum 8 MB each, with a 9:16 or 16:9 aspect ratio.
What words are banned in Google Play titles?
Google's metadata policy prohibits emojis, ALL CAPS (unless it's your brand), performance claims ("best", "#1", "top"), price language ("free", "no ads"), and calls to action ("download now"). Violation can result in app rejection.
Is the feature graphic required on Google Play?
Yes. You must provide a feature graphic (1024 × 500 pixels, JPEG or 24-bit PNG, no transparency) to publish your store listing.
Does your listing follow all these requirements?
PlayAudit checks your listing, verifies keyword rankings, and tells you exactly what to fix — with copy-paste ready text.
Audit My App — €5Related: Character Counter · Google Play ASO Guide · ASO Checklist · ASO Tools Comparison